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U.S. Department of State

Daily Press Briefing

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QUESTION: Jamie, do you have anything on the VX gas report?

MR. RUBIN: Yes, on the VX let me say - and then I gather we're going back to another subject or clarification with assistance of all those necessary?

According to the report UNSCOM delivered to the UN Security Council after discussion in New York by 21 experts from seven countries on the results of tests of Iraqi missile fragments, all tests in all countries are conclusive and valid. The tests prove the existence of degradation products of the following: VX; VX stabilizer; a nerve agent of either the G or V series of chemical weapons; and an undeclared decontaminant which is most effective against chemical weapons.

The experts agree that there is evidence that Iraq loaded nerve agents - some of the most horrible weapons in the world - including VX into its missile warheads. The experts unanimously concluded that the existence of VX degradation products conflicts with Iraq's declaration. It is time for Iraq to provide a full and accurate account of their weapons of mass destruction -- particularly the deadly nerve agent, VX. The onus is on them to reverse course, to fulfill their obligations and to give a true accounting of its weapons of mass destruction programs and to resume cooperation with UNSCOM and to allow inspections to continue.

In short, these findings make clear that Saddam Hussein did produce VX weapons contrary to what he said; that he produce these most horrible weapons, even though he said he didn't. It shows the urgency and necessity of Iraq coming clean on what they built, what they have, so that the international community can confirm disarmament of those provisions, without which sanctions cannot be lifted.

QUESTION: Where do you see this going from here, Jamie?

MR. RUBIN: Well the Council is going to be reviewing these findings. I would expect there to be further discussion on it. This can't but hurt Iraq's case that somehow it's up to the international community not Iraq to take the next step. We have made clear that in the absence of renewed cooperation by Iraq with UNSCOM that we are not going to allow this comprehensive review that they want to go forward; but with renewed cooperation it can go forward.

QUESTION: Jamie, with this evidence that you say is conclusive and valid - or that all tests were conclusive and valid, is it your impression or your view that Saddam Hussein's Iraq poses a greater or same danger to the region or to the world?

MR. RUBIN: We had no doubt that he had produced such weaponry; it was just he was the only one that said it wasn't so. So it's not changed our view of the danger of Saddam Hussein.

QUESTION: And that view is that --

MR. RUBIN: That until Iraq is disarmed of its weapons of mass destruction, until Iraq complies with international Security Council resolutions that demonstrate its peaceful intentions, that sanctions must remain on indefinitely because he is a threat to the region and a threat to the world.

(The briefing concluded at 1:35 P.M.)

[end of document]