[Peace-discuss] Fwd: wilpf-news U.N. passes Iraq resolution on weapons inspections

[manni at snafu.de]

Forwarded Message:
> To: wilpf-news at igc.topica.com
> From: Emily Schroeder <emily at reachingcriticalwill.org>
> Subject: wilpf-news U.N. passes Iraq resolution on weapons inspections
> Date: Fri, 08 Nov 2002 11:30:07 -0800
> -----
> http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/11/08/iraq.resolution/index.html
> 
> U.N. passes Iraq resolution on weapons inspections
> 
> Friday, November 8, 2002 Posted: 11:20 AM EST (1620 GMT)
> 
> UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The United Nations Security Council on Friday
> approved a resolution that demands unfettered access for U.N. inspectors to
> search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
> 
> The vote is in line with U.S. efforts to win international backing for
> stripping Saddam Hussein of such weapons.
> 
> The resolution passed unanimously, after Secretary-General Kofi Annan joined
> the assembled delegates in the Security Council chamber.
> 
> "How this crisis is resolved will affect  greatly the course of peace and
> security in the region and the world," Annan said after the vote. "I commend
> the council for acting today with purpose and resolve."
> 
> The Bush administration reiterated its position that although it would
> consult with the Security Council, it is not required to get U.N. approval
> for U.S.-led military action if Iraq fails to comply.
> 
> U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Negroponte said Iraq will be disarmed "one
> way or another." 
> 
> "If the Security Council fails to act decisively in the event of further
> Iraqi violations this resolution does not constrain any member state from
> acting to defend itself against the threat posed by Iraq or to enforce
> relevant United Nations resolutions and protect world peace and security,"
> Negroponte said. 
> 
> Immediately following the vote, President Bush read a statement from the
> White House Rose Garden saying Iraq would face "the severest consequences"
> if it fails to comply with the resolution. "If we're to avert war, all
> nations must continue to pressure Saddam Hussein to accept this resolution
> and to comply with his obligations."
> 
> British Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking from his London residence at 10
> Downing Street, said that the world community had chosen "disarmament
> through the U.N., with force as a last resort."
> Iraq is accused of possessing weapons of mass destruction -- nuclear,
> biological, chemical -- in violation of the ceasefire treaty it signed when
> Baghdad lost the 1991 Persian Gulf War.
> 
> Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz has repeatedly denied possessing such
> weapons. 
> 
> Meanwhile in Baghdad, there are indications that Iraq might accept the
> resolution, finalized on Thursday.
> 
> The final text was approved with two modifications. It now includes one
> section in which the word "or" is replaced with "and." Also, the phrase
> "restore international peace and security" is changed to "secure
> international peace and security." (Text of  resolution)
> 
> The original language concerned France, Russia and China, whose
> representatives said such wording might be used by the U.S. as a "hidden
> trigger" for an attack against Iraq.
> 
> Syria had wanted to have language included in the resolution indicating that
> if Baghdad complied with the terms of the resolution, sanctions against Iraq
> would be lifted. Syria also had wanted language included that would declare
> the entire Middle East a "nuclear-free and weapons of mass destruction-free
> zone." 
> 
> On Thursday, Bush spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin,
> and  the White House said "both agreed on the need to reach a strong
> resolution" dealing with Iraq.
> 
> A Russian official said Moscow still had "some concerns" about the
> resolution but he believed it had changed for the better compared to its
> original format. 
> 
> Bush also called French President Jacques Chirac. Bush would not
> characterize the nature of the talks.
> 
> View from Iraq
> 
> In Iraq, an article Thursday in al-Thawra ("Revolution"), the newspaper of
> the ruling Baath party, said: "It is not in Iraq's interest to ignore or
> contravene Security Council resolutions, as others do."
> 
> In exchange, it said, the Security Council should recognize Iraq's rights.
> Observers say the comments in al-Thawra indicate that despite its
> objections, the Iraqi government recognizes the resolution as its last
> opportunity to avert war and will likely accept it.
> 
> In the past, Iraq has said no new Security Council resolution was needed.
> 
> Nevertheless, there was widespread belief among Iraqi leaders and people on
> the street that war is inevitable -- that the U.S. goal is not to rid Iraq
> of weapons of mass destruction, but to topple its leader and seize its oil.
> 
> CNN Baghdad Bureau Chief Jane Arraf contributed to this report.
> 
> *******       *******       *******       *******
> Emily Schroeder
> Project Associate, Reaching Critical Will
> Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
> United Nations Office
> 777 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA
> Ph: 1 212 682 1265  Fax: 1 212 286 8211
> email: emily at reachingcriticalwill.org,  wilpfun at igc.org
> web: www.reachingcriticalwill.org
> *******       *******       *******       *******
> 
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