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05 November 1998

TEXT: US AMBASSADOR BURLEIGH ON UNSC CONDEMNATION OF IRAQ NOV. 5

(Says failure to heed UN demands will not be "tolerated")  (480)
UNITED NATIONS -- The latest UN Security Council resolution on Iraq
has sent Baghdad "a clear and unmistakable message" that its continued
refusal to cooperate with UN weapons inspectors "will not be rewarded
or tolerated," according to the acting US Representative to the United
Nations.
Explaining his vote in favor of the resolution November 5, Ambassador
Peter Burleigh called the restrictions placed on the UN Special
Commission in Iraq (UNSCOM), charged with conducting inspections for
weapons of mass destruction, and the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) "intolerable." He also emphasized that Baghdad's efforts
to get economic sanctions against it lifted without full compliance
with Security Council demands "have failed, and will fail."
Following is the US/UN text:
(begin text)
November 5, 1998
Statement by Ambassador A. Peter Burleigh, Charge d'Affaires a.i. of
the United States Mission to the United Nations, in Explanation of
Vote on Iraq, in the Security Council, November 5, 1998
---------
By adopting this resolution, the Security Council has sent a clear and
unmistakable message to Iraq: non-compliance will not be rewarded or
tolerated. Iraqi efforts to defy Council resolutions and obtain a
lifting of sanctions without full compliance have failed, and will
fail. Compliance with the Council's resolutions is the only course
which will lead Iraq back toward acceptance within the community of
nations.
The restrictions which Iraq has imposed on UNSCOM and the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since August 5 are
intolerable. Let me be clear: key provisions of resolution 687 cannot
be implemented unless UNSCOM and the IAEA have Iraqi cooperation and
full, immediate and unimpeded access.
The Secretary-General, whose efforts to obtain Iraqi compliance are
commended in this resolution, has expressed his own view that Iraq's
October 31 decision to halt UNSCOM activities is a "serious breach and
major violation" of the February 23 Memorandum of Understanding. It is
significant that today's resolution similarly cites the Iraqi decision
as a "flagrant violation of resolution 687 (1991) and other relevant
resolutions." I would also recall that both President Clinton and
Secretary of State Albright have emphasized that all options are on
the table, and the United States has the authority to act.
The Council has made clear on many occasions -- most recently in its
October 30 letter to the Secretary-General and today in this
resolution -- that it is prepared to recognize and respond to Iraqi
compliance, but not until Iraq lifts all restrictions on UNSCOM and
the IAEA and resumes cooperation.
Iraq should recognize the gravity of the situation it has created.
Iraq must turn back from the dangerous and self-defeating course it
has chosen. The United States sincerely hopes that Iraq will heed the
clear message of this resolution and take the necessary steps without
delay.
(end text)