France Ready To Render Assistance To U.S.

France is ready to provide the United States with assistance in its military operation in Afghanistan, said French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine in an interview published by the Parisien newspaper Wednesday. Mr. Vedrine said "the U.S. will independently organize the military operation in Afghanistan in the wake of the bloody terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11." France, in his words, "is ready to answer all questions that might interest the U.S. in relation to preparations and implementation of its military operation." French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin have timely informed the U.S. leadership about this, Mr. Vedrine stressed.