RAIMOND EXPECTS EC-GULF PROBLEMS WILL BE SOLVED
French Foreign Minister Jean-Bernard
Raimond predicted in a published interview a successful end to
negotiations to admit Gulf petrochemical exports into the
European Community (EC).
    Negotiations have been under way between the Community and
the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for three years.
    Raimond, due here tomorrow from Oman for his first official
visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), told the semi-official
daily Al-Ittihad he was confident a solution would soon be
reached.
    "I am confident that problems between the two big partners,
the GCC and the EC, will find a solution. I will work to reach
that solution," he said in the interview conducted in Paris.
    An EC decision to impose tariffs on Gulf petrochemical
exports over a set quota has strained trade relations between
the two sides.
    GCC members Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE
and Oman are threatening to impose heavy customs duties on
European exports to the Gulf if no solution is reached.
    Raimond said negotiations between the two groups took a
long time because there were 20 countries involved. But added:
"Time is now ripe and all circumstances are appropriate for
making crucial progress."
    Referring to the Iran-Iraq war, he said efforts should
continue to find a solution despite prevailing difficulties.
    He said France was continuing negotiations with Iran. Some
problems were solved as a result of the contacts while others
remained unresolved. He gave no details but said: "France wishes
to have normal relations with Iran."
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