U.S. confronts France over tech sales to Iraq

WASHINGTON Ñ Britain and the United States are concerned that France is quietly selling dual-use components that could be employed in Iraqi military programs.

Diplomats said that London and Washington have raised with French officials the large number of contracts signed by Iraq with French companies. Many of these contracts include components that could be used to help improve Iraqi air defense as well as weapons of mass destruction.

The contracts are said to be worth several billion dollars and include French agreements to supply Baghdad with advanced computers, communications systems, chemicals as well as advanced pumps and special trucks, Middle East Newsline reported. The equipment was said to be required for missile development as well as the upgrade of air defense systems.

The diplomats said that France is being asked to explain the contracts amid a decision by the Bush administration to intensify efforts to halt the export of dual-use and military equipment to Baghdad.

So far, 117 French contracts have been blocked by the United Nations panel that reviews import requests by Baghdad. The contracts are said to total $400 million.

France has been Iraq's ally in the West and has sought lucrative contracts in a range of fields. At the same time, France has joined its Western allies in stopping companies and countries from violating UN sanctions.

For example, France joined Britain and the United States in stopping a Swiss company from purchasing oil from Baghdad. Glencore International AG, the Swiss firm, was found to have illegally diverted a shipment of oil from the United States to Crotia. There, the shipment obtained an additional $3 million.