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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Washington File

16 May 2003

U.S., Germany Will Work to Lift U.N. Sanctions on Iraq

(Powell, Schroeder press availability in Berlin May 16) (800)
Secretary of State Colin Powell has welcomed German Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder's willingness to work with Washington to end United Nations
sanctions against Iraq, telling reporters in Berlin, "I was pleased at
the Chancellor's commitment to move as quickly as we can to lift
sanctions entirely so that we can begin to have the flow of oil, which
will generate revenue that will benefit the Iraqi people."
During a press availability with Schroeder after their meeting at the
Federal Chancellery, Powell said they had had a very open and candid
conversation "as befits two friends and two allies."
Germany's opinion on the sanctions, Schroeder said, is that they no
longer have any meaning and should be lifted as soon as possible.
"Together we came to the conclusion that it makes sense to come
together in New York at the United Nations headquarters and, if
possible, to develop a unanimous position," he said.
Powell also thanked Germany for providing peacekeeping troops in
Afghanistan, and Schroeder said he was pleased that this contribution
had been recognized.
Following is a transcript of their remarks:
(begin transcript)
U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman 
(Berlin, Germany)
May 16, 2003
PRESS AVAILABILITY
SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN L. POWELL AND GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD
SCHROEDER
German Federal Chancellery
Berlin, Germany
May 16, 2003
CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER: I am very happy about the visit of the American
Secretary of State. We discussed, frankly and in some detail, a range
of issues of common interest.
Of course, the issue of Iraq was of special interest. We are of the
opinion that the sanctions that were imposed in the past no longer
have any meaning and that they should be lifted as soon as possible.
Together we came to the conclusion that it makes sense to come
together in New York at the United Nations headquarters and, if
possible, to develop a unanimous position.
Then we discussed the situation in Afghanistan. Germany's contribution
to the establishment and the maintenance of security in Afghanistan is
recognized. I believe that it will be necessary to look into the
expansion of the security zones beyond Kabul and the role that Germany
is capable of playing in this connection. We are fully prepared to
discuss this question with one another. I was pleased to note the
recognition of Germany's outstanding participation in Enduring
Freedom, as well as Germany's commitment in the Balkans.
All in all, I was very pleased over the very open and friendly
exchange of views.
SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you very much, Chancellor. It is a great
pleasure for me to be back in Berlin. As the Chancellor said, we did
have a very open and candid conversation.
We spoke about the future, how we are moving forward with respect to
helping the people of Iraq to a better life; working together on
finding a formulation for a resolution at the United Nations that will
draw the support of all members of the Security Council. I was pleased
at the Chancellor's commitment to move as quickly as we can to lift
sanctions entirely so that we can begin to have the flow of oil, which
will generate revenue that will benefit the Iraqi people.
As the Chancellor said, our conversation was very direct and candid,
as befits two friends and two allies. We talked about the disagreement
of the past and the seriousness of that disagreement, but we also
talked about that which pulls us together, as friends and allies for
these many years. The way in which we are working with each other in
cooperating in the Balkans and Afghanistan, and thanked the Chancellor
for the contribution that Germany is making in the Afghanistan theater
with German troops. And we also talked about the global war on
terrorism -- how we have to do more, as highlighted by the recent
attacks against U.S. interests in Saudi Arabia. I thank the German
government for the cooperation they have given to us on the global war
against terrorism.
We also spoke about the prospects for peace in the Middle East and
President Bush's commitment to moving forward with the new Palestinian
Prime Minister and with Prime Minister Sharon, to find a way forward
down the roadmap that will lead to the vision the President laid out
in his speech of 24 June of last year.
So, Chancellor, it is a great pleasure for me to be back in Germany.
Thank you for your hospitality, sir.
CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER: Ladies and gentlemen, there will be a very
detailed press conference with the Secretary of State and Foreign
Minister Fischer. Therefore, thank you for coming.
SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you very much.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)



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