WASHINGTON, May 9: US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Friday raised France’s “very close relationship” with Iraq, but would not comment on reports alleging that the French government had helped President Saddam Hussein’s government members evading US forces.

Asked at a press conference about the role France played in connection with the former Iraqi government, Mr Rumsfeld replied: “France has historically had a very close relationship with Iraq.

“My understanding is that it continued right up until the outbreak of the war. What took place thereafter, we’ll find out.”

Asked if he believed France had helped Iraqi leaders get out of their country, Mr Rumsfeld said: “I’ve read those reports, but I don’t have anything I can add to them.”

France strongly opposed the countries most vehemently opposed to the use of military force against Iraq.

The Washington Times alleged on Tuesday that France had furnished passports to Iraqi officials, an accusation France has formally denied.

The White House and State Department said they could not confirm the article.

INSPECTORS’ RETURN: About the return of weapons inspectors, the defence secretary said insecurity was preventing their return of “international inspectors”.

However, he hastened to add they “may very well” return eventually.

Pressed on why some 2,000 experts currently in Iraq looking for weapons of mass destruction and searching for officials of the Saddam government were either Americans or citizens of so-called coalition countries, he said: “I don’t know.”—AFP