France Ready to Apologize to Iraq

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has offered to apologize to Iraq if he had meddled in its affairs. The statement comes a day after Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Maliki demanded an official apolog because Mr. Kouchner had suggested he resign. Meanwhile President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for a clear timetable or the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq. He was making what was described as his first major foreign policy speech since becoming president in May.