13 February 1998
TRANSCRIPT: RICHARDSON-OBUCHI JOINT STATEMENT ON IRAQ
(Iraq threat to world too dangerous to ignore) (1500) Tokyo -- The United States and Japan share the view that a diplomatic solution to the Iraq situation is urgently needed because time is running short, and that Iraq's capacity to produce weapons of mass destruction poses a threat to the region and the world that is too dangerous to ignore, according to Bill Richardson, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. "As members of the U.N. Security Council, the United States and Japan believe the situation with Iraq is now very grave," Richardson said. "Left unchallenged, Iraq's defiance threatens the credibility of the United Nations and the ability of the Security Council to carry out its mandate to maintain international peace and security." In a joint statement issued February 13, Richardson and Japanese Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi, Richardson said: "Japan shared the view of the United States that a diplomatic solution, based on full Iraqi compliance with all relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, is the best solution~ and that all options remain on the table." "We agreed," he said, "that the way out of this crisis is for Iraq to comply fully with all relevant Security Council resolutions and to give the U.N. Special Commission complete and unfettered access to all sites in Iraq." (For more information on the Iraq crisis, contact the USIA website at: http://www.usia.gov/regional/nea/gulfsec/iraqpage.htm) Following is the official transcript of the joint press statement and the question-and-answer period that followed: (begin transcript) JOINT PRESS STATEMENT BY BILL RICHARDSON, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND FOREIGN MINISTER KEIZO OBUCHI IIKURA HOUSE TOKYO, JAPAN February 13, 1998 FOREIGN MINISTRY MODERATOR: Now we have the joint press opportunity by Foreign Minister Obuchi and Ambassador Richardson. Let me explain the proceedings. First there will be a joint press statement read first in Japanese by Foreign Minister Obuchi, and then in English by Ambassador Richardson. Then we are going to questions and answers. And then there will be first a question by a member of the Japanese press corps, followed by a question from a member of the American press corps, followed by another member of the Japanese press corps, and then finally another member of the American press corps, when you ask a question, please proceed to the microphone on either side, and please state your name and affiliation before asking your question. FOREIGN MINISTER OBUCHI: (reads statement in Japanese) MODERATOR: Thank you very much. Could I ask Ambassador Richardson to make a statement. AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON: Thank you, my friend, Foreign Minister Obuchi, The United States and Japan had an opportunity to consult February 13 about the situation in Iraq. I came to Japan at the request of President Clinton to meet with Prime Minister Hashimoto, Foreign Minister Obuchi, and other senior officials of the Japanese Government. The two sides had productive meetings on the need for a strong international response to Iraq's flagrant violations of Security Council resolutions, We reached common recognition that its failure to comply is totally unacceptable. As members of the U.N. Security Council, the United States and Japan believe the situation with Iraq is now very grave. Left unchallenged, Iraq's defiance threatens the credibility of the United Nations and the ability of the Security Council to carry out its mandate to maintain international peace and security. We shared the view that a diplomatic solution is urgently needed because time is running short, and that Iraq's capacity to produce weapons of mass destruction poses a threat to the region and the world that is too dangerous to ignore. Japan shared the view of the United States that a diplomatic solution, based on full Iraqi compliance with all relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, is the best solution~ and that all options remain on the table. We agreed that the way out of this crisis is for Iraq to comply fully with all relevant Security Council resolutions and to give the U.N. Special Commission complete and unfettered access to all sites in Iraq. Thank you. MODERATOR: Thank you very much, Ambassador Richardson. QUESTION: (translation) This is a question from Mainichi Shimbun, directed at Minister Obuchi. In your joint statement earlier, it was mentioned that Japan shared the view of the United States -- that all options remain on the table. Does this mean that you are supporting the position -- you are in support of the U.S. use of force? And have you -- and is that the position you are taking? FOREIGN MINISTER OBUCHI: (translation) As I mentioned in the joint statement, Japan and the United States share the view that a diplomatic solution is the best solution, and so that our diplomatic efforts may prove successful, we are mindful that all options remain on the table. The U.S. would exert every effort to -- toward a diplomatic solution, and at the same time I understand that, at this point, U.S. has yet to make a decision on the use of force. MODERATOR: Could I have the next question from the American, or the non-Japanese, press corps? QUES~TION: Jan Chorlton Petersen, CBS News. My question is for Ambassador Richardson. Sir, you have emphasized the wish for a diplomatic solution, but also that time is running short. Is there any sign now that the U.S. is closer to a consensus to go in? Can you give us your thoughts on this, please? AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON: The solution -- the peaceful solution -- of this crisis is in Saddam Hussein's hands. Any deadline, any time factor, any timeline, is up to Saddam Hussein. If he would comply with allowing unfettered access to all sites, if he stopped defying the U.N. Security Council and international obligations, we would not have this problem. Let me also state that the United States is very pleased with this joint statement with Japan. It is our view that a diplomatic solution is the best acceptable outcome, but that time is running short and that, therefore, all options remain on the table. QUESTION: I'm with the TBS Tokyo Broadcasting System. You referred to the diplomatic efforts and also the fact that time is running short. Is there any particular timeframe that you have in mind, and is there any framework of contents that you have in mind when you refer to such a running out of -- running short of time in terms of diplomatic efforts? FOREIGN MINISTER OBUCHI: (translated) Both Japan and the United States believe it is absolutely necessary for Iraq to accept immediately and unconditionally the inspection of -~- inspection by UNSCOM. And we are making very active diplomatic efforts to achieve that, and we are very much -- we strongly hope that Iraq will respond immediately to the effo~rts as such on the part of international community. We have been (strongly urging) them to do exactly that. One example of that is the fact that I summoned Iraq's Charge here in Tokyo to convey that message to him in person. MODERATOR: The next and last question, please. Yes. QUESTION: Mr. Ambassador, I'm from Reuters, my name is Janet Snyder. Sir, one thing that you mentioned earlier today was that you got the support of several nations. You went and made a huge whirlwind tour of many countries in the world. But one country you didn't mention was Russia. Where do we stand now on the position of Russia vis-a-vis the situation in Iraq? And what sort of indication, sir, have you gotten of Russian involvement in development of weapons in Iraq? AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON: The United States and Russia are close allies. We have shared the fundamental view that Iraq is in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, that their actions at blocking access of UNSCOM sites is unacceptable, and that there should be clear, unfettered access to all sites. Now, while we agree on the problem, we have had some tactical differences. We have had some differences on the means to achieve these goals. Russia's efforts at resolving this crisis are very sincere, and they are very determined. It is our view, however, that the solution lies in closely adhering to Security Council resolutions. We think that the key is two fundamental points: clear, unfettered, unconditional access to all sites -- Presidential sites, sensitive sites -- by U.N. inspectors; and to maintain the full integrity of UNSCOM -- the U.N. Inspection Team. No politicization. Its efforts (should) be based on science and professional integrity, and those are our fundamental views. As to the second part of your question, this is an internal U.N. matter that involves UNSCOM and the Russian Federation. I have no further information on that. MODERATOR: The Foreign Minister and the Ambassador will have to move on to their next engagement. I would like to draw this press conference to an end. Thank you very much. (end transcript)
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