06 February 2003
Bush, Powell Say U.N. Must Not Ignore Its Responsibility on Iraq
(U.S. would "welcome" new U.N. resolution on Iraqi disarmament) (1000) By Wendy S. Ross and Alicia K. Langley Washington File Staff Writers Washington -- Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction poses a threat to the world, and the United Nations Security Council "must not back down" when its demands for the regime to disarm are "being defied and mocked by a dictator," President Bush said February 6. Speaking at the White House, with Secretary of State Colin Powell at his side, Bush praised the secretary for his "careful and powerful presentation of the facts," before the U.N. Security Council the day before. Bush called on the Security Council to renew its purpose and show whether its words have meaning by dealing with the Iraqi problem. "The United States," he said, "would welcome and support a new resolution that makes clear the Security Council stands behind its previous demands." "Yet resolutions mean little without resolve," he said. "And the United States along with a growing coalition of nations is resolved to take whatever action is necessary to defend ourselves and disarm the Iraqi regime." "The Iraqi regime's violations of Security Council violations are evident, and they continue to this hour," the President said. "We have sources that tell us that Saddam Hussein recently authorized Iraqi field commanders to use chemical weapons, the very weapons the dictator tells the world he does not have," Bush said. Bush also said that Saddam Hussein "has longstanding, direct and continuing ties" to the al Qaeda terrorist network, including a cell in Iraq, and that group, he said, "has plotted terrorism against France, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Republic of Georgia and Russia and was caught producing poisons in London." "The game is over. All the world can rise to this moment," he said. Earlier in the day, Powell, addressing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that he and the president "would welcome a second [Security Council] resolution. We understand the attraction of that," he said. But he also said the United Nations "must not ignore its responsibility," because "this cannot go on indefinitely." Resolution 1441, approved unanimously by the Security Council in November, authorized a new round of U.N. weapons inspections and warned Iraq of serious consequences if it defied earlier resolutions requiring it to get rid of its weapons of mass destruction. Massachusetts Democratic Senator John Kerry, a Democrat candidate for President, echoing Powell, agreed that there is "an enormous burden on the U.N. to carry out its duties." When asked whether Saddam Hussein would choose exile instead of war, Powell said, "I've seen nothing to suggest he is going to pack his bags and leave." Powell received exuberant praise from both Democratic and Republican senators on the committee for his February 5 presentation to the United Nations Security Council. Senator Joseph Biden, (Democrat-Delaware) the committee's ranking minority member, said "No Democrat or Republican could have done a better job than you. I'm proud to be associated with you." "I think you did better than anyone could have because of your standing, your reputation and your integrity as it is understood by our European friends as well as others around the world," Biden said. Hans Blix, head of the U.N. Monitoring, Verification, and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be meeting with Iraqi officials in Baghdad February 8 and 9. Their next report to the council is due February 14. Earlier in the day, Bush, speaking at a national prayer breakfast, said "this is a testing time for our country." "At this hour we have troops that are assembling in the Middle East. There's oppressive regimes that seek terrible weapons. We face an ongoing threat of terror," he said. But "one thing is for certain: we didn't ask for these challenges, but we will meet them. I say that with certainty, because this nation has strong foundations that won't be shaken," Bush said. Attending the event along with him were Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers, and Central Intelligence Agency Director George Tenet. And White House Press Secretary, speaking to reporters at his midday briefing, said that "Yesterday and today marked important days of diplomatic achievement at home and abroad. "In addition to Secretary Powell's presentation yesterday at the United Nations of the facts concerning Saddam Hussein's concealment of his weapons of mass destruction, the president today would like to thank the 10 nations of Eastern Europe that issued a statement yesterday in support of the United States' effort to disarm Iraq. "The people of Eastern Europe know well the dangers and risks of allowing tyranny to go unchallenged, and they stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of the United States. The president is proud to have their support." President Bush "also welcomes the vote today in the Turkish parliament to authorize site preparations of Turkish military bases," Fleischer said. President Bush, he said, "is continuing through the secretary of State and through his own efforts to consult with friends and allies around the world about what course should come next. And the consultation process continues." Bush still hopes "that a diplomatic solution can be found," Fleischer said. "The question is, if Saddam Hussein is not willing to be a partner to a diplomatic solution, does the world sit by and do nothing as Saddam Hussein continues to arm up and develop weapons, which as we saw from the secretary's presentation yesterday, involves some of the most horrible chemical and biological weapons that mankind could ever imagine." "We're not interested in the tip of the iceberg that Saddam Hussein may show above water. We're interested in the iceberg that remains under water that can sink the lives of tens of millions of people," he said. (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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