20 November 1997
TEXT: RICHARDSON REMARKS ON GENEVA TALKS ON IRAQ NOVEMBER 20
(No concessions offered to get UNSCOM back to work) (640) United Nations -- Saying that Iraq's agreement with Russia to allow the U.N. weapons inspectors back into the country is "a step forward," U.S. Ambassador Bill Richardson stressed November 20 that the U.N. has made "no deal, no concessions." In a press statement Richardson said that the solidarity of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council in insisting that the U.N. Special Commission overseeing the destruction of Iraqi weapons (UNSCOM) be allowed to do its work unconditionally was responsible for Baghdad's change of attitude. "The United States and the United Nations have made no deal, no concessions; no carrots have been offered. We are not ready to lift sanctions until all relevant Security Council resolutions are complied with by Iraq. And, if necessary, we will use our veto to achieve that objective," the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations said. Following is the text of Richardson's statement: (begin text) (As delivered) Statement by Ambassador Bill Richardson on Iraq November 20, 1997 Good morning. The news out of Geneva is a step forward, an opening, but it's not a resolution of the issue. It appears that allied P-5 solidarity made this happen. And, it is critically important that Iraq comply fully with resolution 1137, and the UN inspections team can go back to work, unconditionally, fully, and immediately. Iraq must follow with real performance on the ground, as we've said before, there can be no conditions, no deals, no winks. Our objective was to get UNSCOM to return and do its work, unconditionally. Our means were intensive diplomacy, allied solidarity, and a strong military presence in the region. If the inspectors return, unconditionally, with Americans, we will have achieved our objective. Let me also print out that the Russia-Iraq initiative is not binding on the United States or on the Security Council. The United States and the United Nations have made no deal, no concessions, no carrots have been offered. We are not ready to lift sanctions until all relevant Security Council resolutions are complied with by Iraq. And, if necessary we will use our veto to achieve that objective. The goal now must be to make UNSCOM stronger. It should be given access. The Iraqis should stop their concealment. They should be more forthcoming on chemical, biological and other deadly weapons. It is our view that after the briefing by UNSCOM yesterday, the missile files should not be closed. There still is significant work and oversight that has to happen in those areas, particularly with indigenous missiles. Our assets, our military assets will stay in the region. For your information, Secretary Cohen will be with me today, and we will meet with Secretary-General Annan, this afternoon and then we will meet with the press later. The point that I want to make here is, why should Iraq be rewarded for reversing themselves after having committed an illegal act. Compliance should not be rewarded with carrots. UNSCOM commissioners will meet tomorrow and discuss how to make the Special Commission more effective and stronger. Any recommendations coming out of that meeting will be referred to the Security Council, which will have to agree to any change in the work, or composition of UNSCOM. As a result of the absence of UNSCOM inspectors, UNSCOM will need to work even harder to reestablish its work. As President Clinton said this morning, we will remain resolute in our determination to prevent Iraq from threatening its neighbors and the world with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. This is an issue that he hopes will become even more important to all Americans, that is a duty we have to all generations. (end text)
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