(Vancouver Sun) Michael Campbell - French President Jacques Chirac's extensive business ties with Saddam stretch back 26 years to his sale of two nuclear reactors to Iraq with enough weapons-grade uranium to build three or four nuclear bombs. Chirac also spearheaded a $1.5-billion weapons deal with Saddam which included 60 Mirage F1 fighter planes, surface-to-air missiles, and advanced electronics. In July, France signed a $5.3-billion deal with Iraq for non-oil-related goods and services. Last year, Chirac's France made more money out of the UN's oil-for-food program than any other nation, and has consistently lobbied for reduced sanctions. Since 1996, France has sold directly or indirectly $14 billion worth of French goods to Iraq.
2003-02-26 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive