MER - Washington - 5 Feb., 1998:

    In the media mayhem significant things often get overlooked or pushed under.  Jean-Pierre Chevenement, French Interior Minister, was French Defense Minister at the time of the Gulf War. A few weeks ago Chevenement made the following "personal" comments which were reported by South News:

    Interior Minister Jean-Pierre Chevenement reaffirmed his personal opposition to Western military action against Iraq, describing United States policy as irresponsible on Sunday.

    In 1991, Chevenement resigned his post as Defense Minister, rather than participate in the Persian Gulf War against Iraq.

    "Iraq is no longer a military menace," Interior Minister told state radio on Sunday. "It is time to lift this ferocious embargo, which has already probably led to the deaths of a million people.  It is absolutely dishonorable." Chevenement also called Butler's comments to The New York Times "ridiculous."

    Earlier a congress of his Citizen's Movement, ``American policy towards the Arab-Moslem world is irresponsible and can only fuel the fires of Islamic fundamentalism,'' he said.

    Chevenement, alone in France's cabinet to openly express such a view, repeated his belief that Iraq was no longer a military threat.