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U.S. Department of State

Daily Press Briefing

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QUESTION: Lee, I don't know if we've had a chance to ask you what you think about the UN Security Council resolution on Iraq, and those who abstained.

MR. MCCLENNY: You haven't had a chance to ask me yet. You want to know?

QUESTION: Yes, I'd like to know.

MR. MCCLENNY: My personal view. Several comments, I guess. The Security Council yesterday gave a clear negative answer to Saddam Hussein's desire to have sanctions lifted while he continues a program of creation of weapons of mass destruction.

In yesterday's action, the UN Security Council reaffirmed the Council's dissatisfaction with Iraq's failure to comply fully with UN resolutions; clearly repeated the Council's support for UNSCOM's mandate and its freedom of operation inside Iraq. It suspended sanction reviews on Iraq for another six months, and began the process of identifying Iraqis who are responsible for obstructing UNSCOM inspections, for potential future restrictions of their travel.

This is, in our view, a clear setback to Saddam Hussein's efforts to have sanctions lifted. He should understand the message -- the basic message -- which is that the Security Council strongly supports UNSCOM's mandate. Saddam Hussein should not misunderstand. He should see clearly that if he continues to challenge that mandate, the Council intends to take further action. Those words are in the letter that's been sent. We feel that's the situation.

With regard to abstentions and voting, I'd reflect back on something Jamie said the other day - that we want to be careful not to confuse or to mistake the necessarily messy negotiating process that goes on in the Security Council with disagreement in any way about the situation in Iraq. At no time in the Council's deliberations did any member suggest that it was time to lift sanctions, nor did any member ever question the appropriateness, indeed the necessity of extending the suspension of the Council's regular reviews. We're in basic agreement about Iraq.

There were abstentions, yes. The resolution was passed by the Council, and now carries the full weight of international law. All UN Security Council members have made a commitment to ensure that Iraq meets its serious obligations. This is not the first time that there has been a Council resolution on Iraq passed without unanimity. I haven't been able to find the dates of the earlier ones, but there have been other cases in the past.

We do regret the decision by France, Russia, China, Egypt and Kenya to abstain on this resolution. Each nation has its own motivation, and I leave it to them to explain those motivations to you.

The nine co-sponsors, however, made a vigorous effort to obtain the support of all Council members. The bottom line is, the resolution passed.

QUESTION: You said it sends a strong message. Do you think that message would have been stronger without those abstentions?

MR. MCCLENNY: Stronger, weaker, I don't think that's important; the message is strong.

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