Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=01/23/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S/IRAQ/BRITAIN (S)

NUMBER=2-298709

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Secretary of State Colin Powell and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw warned Thursday that the credibility of the United Nations is at stake in coming decisions on Iraq. Mr. Powell says Iraq's cooperation with U-N inspectors has been "flawed, incomplete and inadequate." V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: Administration officials have made no effort to conceal their frustration over the reluctance of some U-S allies, including France and Germany, to acknowledge what they say is already a clear-cut case: that Iraq has not fully cooperated with the inspectors. At a news conference with Mr. Straw, Secretary of State Powell warned the credibility of the United Nations will be at stake in the debate that will follow Monday's inspectors' report to the Security Council.

/// POWELL ACTUALITY ///

For the international community, now, to say, 'never mind,' or walk away from this problem, or ignore it, or allow it to be strung out indefinitely, with no end, I think, would be a defeat for the international community, and a serious defeat for the United Nations process.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Powell said he still hopes the issue can be resolved peacefully. But he said the administration reserves the right to use force against Iraq, if the United Nations fails to act, and said if it comes to that, the United States would not have to act alone, and that "many" other countries would join it in a coalition. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/TW/FC