An interim report issued by the Iraq Survey Group indicates that Saddam Hussein believed he could avoid a war with the United States by bribing, among others, the President of France, Jacques Chirac. The report was part of a 1,200-page survey for the CIA by Charles Duelfer, a former U.N. weapons inspector.

According to documents obtained from former Iraqi intelligence officials, Saddam was told as early as May 2002 that France would use its U.N. Security Council veto to obstruct American war plans in return for having been granted oil contracts by the Iraqi Dictator.
Former Iraqi deputy prime minister, Tariq Aziz told the ISG that the 'primary motive for French co-operation' was to secure lucrative oil deals when UN sanctions were lifted. Total, the French oil giant, had been promised exploration rights.

Iraqi Intelligence Officials also 'targeted a number of French individuals that Iraq thought had a close relationship to French President Chirac,' including two of his 'counsellors' and representative for his re-election campaign. Mr.Chirac is not mentioned by name.

A memo sent to Saddam in May last year from his intelligence unit said they met with a 'French parliamentarian' who 'assured Iraq that France would use its veto in the UN Security Council against any American decision to attack Iraq.'

A spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry declined any comment on the allegations pending further study of the ISG report.