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21 November 2002

NATO Summit Demands Iraq Disarm Under U.N. Resolution

(Statement issued at November 21 Prague summit session) (320)
Leaders of the 19-nation NATO alliance called on Iraq November 21 to
disarm in line with the resolution recently adopted by the U.N.
Security Council, and said they stand united in their commitment to
"take effective action to assist and support" U.N. efforts to ensure
compliance.
A statement issued at their NATO summit meeting in Prague does not
specifically raise the threat of military action to enforce
compliance, but reinforces the U.N.'s warning that Iraq "will face
serious consequences as a result of its continued violation of its
obligations."
President Bush has repeatedly warned that refusal by Saddam Hussein to
disarm voluntarily would inevitably prompt military action by a
U.S.-led coalition.
Following is the text of the statement by the NATO heads of state and
government:
(begin text)
Prague Summit Statement on Iraq
Issued by the Heads of State and Government participating in the
meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Prague on 21 November 2002
We, the 19 Heads of State and Government of NATO, meeting in Prague,
have expressed our serious concern about terrorism and the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Concerning Iraq, we pledge our full support for the implementation of
UN Security Council Resolution 1441 and call on Iraq to comply fully
and immediately with this and all relevant UN Security Council
resolutions.
We deplore Iraq's failure to comply fully with its obligations which
were imposed as a necessary step to restore international peace and
security and we recall that the Security Council has decided in its
resolution to afford Iraq a final opportunity to comply with its
disarmament obligations under relevant resolutions of the Council.
NATO Allies stand united in their commitment to take effective action
to assist and support the efforts of the UN to ensure full and
immediate compliance by Iraq, without conditions or restrictions, with
UNSCR 1441. We recall that the Security Council in this resolution has
warned Iraq that it will face serious consequences as a result of its
continued violation of its obligations.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)