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G8 meeting tests post-Iraq unity
PARIS, France -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is traveling to Paris to attend a meeting of foreign ministers from the G8 group of nations, with post-war Iraq and counter-terrorism issues expected to top the agenda. The meeting, coming less than two weeks before a French-hosted summit of G8 leaders, is expected to be a key test of the state of relations between Paris and Washington following the rift over the Iraq conflict. Powell's arrival in France comes ahead of a vote at the United Nations that is expected to give overwhelming backing to a U.S. resolution dropping sanctions against Iraq after almost 13 years. The resolution also gives the United States and Britain authority to control Iraq until an elected government is in place. The plan has gotten support from France, Germany and Russia, all of whom had fiercely opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq -- a sign some observers say of a willingness to patch up ties with the United States. Speaking to reporters Wednesday U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the meeting of G8 ministers would provide an indication of the extent to which the United States and opponents of the war could now work together. "To the extent that we had some differences with some of them, we'll see how much they want to cooperate and move forward," he said. Aside from Iraq, and plans for post-war reconstruction and stabilization, counter-terrorism issues are expected to feature highly in discussions, following recent bomb attacks in Morocco and Saudi Arabia. Powell has said he also plans to bring up the subject of Iran's nuclear program, although he has made clear the U.S. has no plans to take military action. Summit priorities
The meeting of foreign ministers comes ahead of a June 1 summit of G8 leaders to be held in the southern city of Evian. French President Jaques Chirac has said his priorities for that meeting will be on building stronger economies and protecting the environment. Speaking to reporters Wednesday he said France was "concerned about the increasing divide between rich and poor," and hopes G8 nations will use their "economic weight" to help equalize the wealth. Those affected by the world's economic slump should be heartened, Chirac said, because there has been stabilization, shown by such factors as lower oil prices and larger inventories. He also said France would push for more open trade, and giving Africa -- which he said has been a "marginalized continent" -- preferential treatment. On the environment, Chirac said the Kyoto protocol on reducing greenhouse gas emissions must be fully implemented. Last year, representatives of all 15 European Union nations and the European Commission informed the United Nations their national legislatures had approved the pact. The United States shunned the treaty shortly after President Bush took office last year, arguing it would harm the U.S. economy. Until the treaty is fully in force, other measures must be applied to reduce the harmful gases, Chirac said. Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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