14 May 2002
Powell Applauds New Export Controls for Iraq
(Says no excuse to evade sanctions preventing Iraqi re-armament) (510)
Secretary of State Colin Powell applauded the United Nations Security
Council's approval of Resolution 1409, which revises the export
control system for Iraq.
"Under this new export control system, with its simple, expedited
process for exporting civilian goods to Iraq, there can be no excuse
for any country to evade the focused controls aimed at preventing the
Iraqi regime's re-armament," Powell said in a statement released in
Reykjavik, Iceland May 14.
Powell said the new system continues to prevent Iraq from
re-establishing conventional, ballistic missile, nuclear, chemical,
and biological weapons programs but "effectively lifts UN controls on
Iraq's ability to purchase and import civilian goods."
The secretary said the resolution demonstrates the Security Council's
"determination to meet the needs of the Iraqi people," and said the
Iraqi government would be better able to meet the needs of its people
if it also ended its subversion of the Oil-for-Food program.
Following is the text of a statement by Secretary Powell concerning
UNSCR 1409:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman (Reykjavik, Iceland)
May 14, 2002
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN L. POWELL
UN Security Council Adopts a New Export Control System on Iraq
I applaud the action by the UN Security Council to adopt resolution
1409. This vote puts in place a new export control system for exports
to Iraq -- a major achievement that has been under negotiation since
the beginning of last year. This unanimous decision reaffirms the
broad consensus on Iraq within the Security Council that re-emerged
last November when the Council passed resolution 1382. With resolution
1409, the Council has agreed that firm, focused controls must stay in
place to prevent Iraq from re-establishing its conventional, ballistic
missile, nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons programs. The need
for such controls will remain until Iraq complies fully with all of
its UN obligations.
Today's resolution demonstrates the Council's continued determination
to meet the needs of the Iraqi people. The Council's new system, based
on a "Goods Review List," effectively lifts UN controls on Iraq's
ability to purchase and import civilian goods. This significant step
will improve the Iraqi regime's ability to meet the needs of its
people, unless Baghdad continues to subvert the Oil-for-Food program
as it does today, to the detriment of the Iraqi people.
Finally, the Council's vote today reaffirms the responsibility of all
states to fully enforce UN Security Council resolutions. The Iraqi
regime represents a threat to its own people, its region and the
international community. The U.S. intends to continue working with the
UN and with our friends and coalition partners to enforce UN
resolutions on Iraq vigorously. We expect every other nation to do the
same. Under this new export control system, with its simple, expedited
process for exporting civilian goods to Iraq, there can be no excuse
for any country to evade the focused controls aimed at preventing the
Iraqi regime's re-armament.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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