12 November 1997
UN SECURITY COUNCIL DETERMINED TO SEE IRAQ COOPERATE WITH UNSCOM
(Text: Ambassador Richardson's Security Council remarks) (1040) United Nations -- The U.N. Security Council is united in its determination to see Iraq comply with Gulf War cease-fire resolutions and cooperate with the U.N. Special Commission destroying Iraqi weapons, U.S. Ambassador Bill Richardson said November 12. "Iraq's course of action must now be clear: to announce the reversal of its unacceptable decisions and pledge its full, immediate and unconditional compliance with the relevant Security Council resolutions," Richardson said. The Security Council voted unanimously to ban international travel to Iraqi officials and military officers who had a part in the October 29 decision to expel Americans working for the U.N. Special Commission overseeing the destruction of Iraqi weapons (UNSCOM), refuse to allow UNSCOM inspections when Americans are on the team, and threaten UNSCOM reconnaissance flights. In his speech during the Council meeting, Richardson also emphasized that the sanctions target Iraqi leaders, not is citizens. "The United States feels, just as does every member of this body, compassion for the Iraqi people and empathy for their plight...looks forward to the day when the sanctions against Iraq can be lifted," he said. "There is a light at the end of the tunnel and the Iraqi leaders control the switch," the ambassador said. Following is the U.S. text of Richardson's remarks: (begin text) Statement by Ambassador Bill Richardson, United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, in Explanation of Vote on Iraq, in the Security Council, November 12, 1997 The Security Council has taken a very important action today in passing -- unanimously -- this resolution. This is the unambiguous message to the leaders of Iraq: The Security Council is united in its determination that Iraq must comply with the resolutions of the Council and that Iraq must reverse its decisions challenging the Council and the international community. It is not for Iraq to set the terms of its compliance; Iraq must simply comply. And, as this resolution demonstrates, there will be consequences for Iraq if it fails to do so. Iraq's course of action must now be clear: to announce the reversal of its unacceptable decisions and pledge its full, immediate and unconditional compliance with the relevant Security Council resolutions. Sadly, Iraq has been following a different path. The Deputy Prime Minister, since arriving in New York, has insisted that his primary goal is to get the sanctions on Iraq lifted, But he has learned today that the lifting of sanctions must follow compliance, not precede it. And he asserts that it is the sanctions, not Iraq, that are wrong. Iraq does not seem to understand that its objective can only be reached through full compliance. Let us not forget that, after years of trying every trick to deceive UNSCOM inspectors, on October 29 Iraq sought to bar UNSCOM inspectors with U.S. citizenship -- out of the more than 20 nations represented in the organization. Then it blocked UNSCOM inspections, interfered with monitoring operations, and menaced UNSCOM reconnaissance aircraft. All of these actions are gross violations of Iraq's obligations under Security Council resolutions. And, as this resolution states, threaten international peace and security. Iraq has failed in other areas mandated by the Council. And it has given no sign that it will cease activities and policies intended to threaten its neighbors. Indeed, it gives every indication that it intends to continue to develop a dangerous arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. Which is what this is all about. In thirty-seven previous reviews of Iraq sanctions, the Security Council has concluded that Iraq has not met the simple conditions for lifting sanctions. The current crisis is not just more of the same, at a higher volume. It is a violation of the UN Charter itself, as well as a categorical rejection of Council resolutions. And, in response, the Council has imposed the first new sanctions on Iraq since the Gulf War. Because Iraq's obstructionist actions have been taken under orders of the highest authorities in Baghdad, the new sanctions target only Iraq's leaders, not its people. The Deputy Prime Minister arrived this week to lobby delegations that Iraq is too impoverished to face continued sanctions. The Council enacted resolutions 986 and 1111 to protect the Iraqi people from the Iraqi government's insistence on guns instead of butter. The Iraqi regime waited a year before accepting the resolution and ever since has tried to manipulate its implementation. In September, the Council had to adopt resolution 1129 to make up for Iraq's refusal to sell oil under this program. The United States feels, just as does every member of this body, compassion for the Iraqi people and empathy for their plight. That is why the UN and the Sanctions Committee have gone to great lengths -- battling Iraqi obstructionism at every step -- to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance. That is why thanks to the Sanctions Committee's efforts, implementation of resolution 1111 is moving forward. And that is why we are prepared to examine ways to further improve the delivery and effectiveness of humanitarian aid in the interest of the people of Iraq. The United States looks forward to the day when the sanctions against Iraq can be lifted. It is not our desire to see Iraq, a land of past greatness which could be great again, permanently saddled with UN sanctions. But Iraq must first comply fully and unconditionally with the requirements of relevant Security Council resolutions. Iraq has known this all along. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and the Iraqi leaders control the switch. Today we are here to get Iraq to reverse its decision to challenge UNSCOM. Neither the Secretary-General, nor his envoys, nor the Security Council has been willing to negotiate Iraqi compliance with Council resolutions. Today's resolution marks our determination to continue to proceed together on a firm and united course. Iraq should heed today's message. Iraq must abandon its hope to escape its obligations through deception or defiance. Today's resolution is a clear call for Iraqi compliance. And a reaffirmation that the Council is willing to use the tools of the UN Charter to ensure compliance. Iraq should get the message. (end text)
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