BRUSSELS, Nov 2 (AFP) - French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier hit back Tuesday at criticism by Iraqi interim prime minister Iyad Allawi that France is "bogged down in the past" over its policy towards his war-scarred country.
"What I think frankly ... is that in a difficult and very serious situation like that in Iraq, I think that everyone, starting with the prime minister, has better things to do than (get involved in) polemics like that," Barnier said.
Allawi warned France on Sunday against appeasing insurgents in order to secure the release of two of its nationals held hostage in the country, as he prepared to travel to Brussels for an EU summit later this week.
"France is bogged down by the past," the Iraqi leader said, adding: "France must revise its policies towards Iraq because its actions and statements are driven by the fact two Frenchmen are held hostage in Iraq."
Barnier said that he did not know what Allawi meant by the term "bogged down". "I don't see at all what ...he is talking about," the French minister said, speaking at a meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels.
The ministerial talks, focussed on preparing for the EU summit on Thursday and Friday, notably agreed a package of financial and logistical support to Iraq, to be offered to Allawi in Brussels.
The package includes a pledge "immediately" to disburse 30 million euros, already announced by the 25-nation bloc, to support the election process before Iraqi polls planned for January.
11/02/2004 18:11 GMT - AFP