1.
GV Arrival of Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz, at Elysee Palace in Paris.
0.30

2.
CU Wall lantern.
0.33

3.
GV Aziz entering room at palace, surrounded by reporters and photographers.
0.38

4.
SCU ZOOM INTO CU/ZOOM OUT TO SCU Aziz answering reporter's question in Arabic, (answer translated into French) and in English.
1.26


VISLIB: (February, 1981) (MUTE)


5.
GV French Mirage aircraft flying at Merignac airfield near Bordeaux. (5 SHOTS)
2.10

6.
GV Mirage taxiing on airfield.
2.19




Initials RdeL/JRS





Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz was received by President Francois Mitterrand on January 6 during his four day visit to Paris. Talks between the two men and other government ministers were the second in 18 months. The meetings were expected to centre on bilateral issues such as French arms supplies to Iraq and an increase in Iraqi oil imports. On arrival at the Elysee Palace, Mr. Aziz declined to give a precise estimate of his government's expectations from the French. Last year France purchased about 1.8 million tonnes of oil from Iraq, there is now speculation in Paris this amount could be tripled, but no details were released of the new weaponry Iraq wants to buy. France started supplying Iraq with Mirage fighters in 1981. The contract guaranteed the delivery of 36 aircraft which were constructed at the Dessault factory, and tested at the Merignac airfield near Bordeaux. With Iraq's economy hard pressed by the Gulf war against Iran, Mr. Aziz was also expected to discuss his country's request for France to rebuild the Tamuz nuclear reactor destroyed by Israel in 1981.