France, Russia, Germany Vow to Block U.N. War Resolution
French President Jacques Chirac, right, and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov
PARIS — The French, German and Russian foreign ministers said Wednesday that their governments would "not allow" passage of a U.N. resolution authorizing war against Iraq.
"We will not allow a resolution to pass that authorizes resorting to force," French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said at a press conference in Paris. "Russian and France, as permanent members of the Security Council, will assume their full responsibilities on this point."
When asked whether France would use its veto, as Russia has suggested it might do, de Villepin said, "We will take all our responsibilities. We are in total agreement with the Russians."
The three ministers had set up the hastily arranged meeting amid quickening U.S.-led preparations for war and a Friday Security Council meeting to hear progress reports from inspectors scouring Iraq for banned weapons.
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