For all of you folks damning France for doing business with Iraq, I would remind you that US firms do a lot of business themselves - legally, through off-shore companies set up for that purpose. In fact one of our chief war hawks did that very thing when he ran an oil services firm - you can find him residing in the Vice President's house, and you will also find that the company he set up is still in operation. So maybe you had better find another excuse for why France is in opposition. But I think Latvia is on your side - just wait till Iraq has to face the Latvian army in battle!!!
I'm not sure if France is hiding anything but they have misplaced politeness going on a few decades now.