19 February 2003
Powell: U.S. in Consultations on New Iraq Resolution
(Remarks after meeting with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga) (690) The United States is in consultation with its friends and allies with respect to a second United Nations Security Council resolution on Iraq, Secretary of State Colin Powell told journalists February 19 following his meeting at the State Department with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. He would not give a timetable for seeking a second resolution. Powell said that, with respect to Iraq, "We hope for a peaceful solution, but we have to make sure that we are ready to force the issue in the absence of a peaceful solution, otherwise, what was the purpose of [Resolution] 1441? What is the meaning of a United Nations resolution?" The Secretary was also asked about his remarks in an interview aired on Radio France, as well as negotiations with Turkey on access to its bases for U.S. troops in the event of a war with Iraq. Powell also expressed U.S. appreciation for "the view of the Latvian Government which understands the challenge that the United Nations is facing with respect to a regime such Saddam Hussein's regime." Following is the State Department transcript: (begin transcript) U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman February 19, 2003 REMARKS BY SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN L. POWELL AFTER MEETING WITH LATVIAN PRESIDENT VAIRA VIKE-FREIBERGA February 19, 2003 C Street Entrance Washington, D.C. (2:05 p.m. EST) SECRETARY POWELL: It is good to have the President of Latvia with us. We had a good conversation and I thanked her for the support that Latvia had given to us and the friendship which she has extended to the United States and to me, personally. QUESTION: Mr. Powell, what do you think about the position of (inaudible)? Is it important for the United States? SECRETARY POWELL: I'm sorry I -- yes. Yes, absolutely. We value the views of all of our European colleagues, those that agree with us and those that don't agree with us. I think every European nation should be free to express its view, and all of them have done so. We especially appreciate the view of the Latvian Government which understands the challenge that the United Nations is facing with respect to a regime such Saddam Hussein's regime that is not complying with its obligations under international law and [UNSC Resolution] 1441. We hope for a peaceful solution, but we have to make sure that we are ready to force the issue in the absence of a peaceful solution, otherwise, what was the purpose of 1441? What is the meaning of a United Nations resolution? QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, how (inaudible) second resolution? SECRETARY POWELL: We are in consultation with our friends and allies with respect to a further resolution. QUESTION: Any timing on it? SECRETARY POWELL: Not that I'm prepared to give you now. QUESTION: Did you mean to suggest that the French are afraid of a war? Is that what you meant to suggest in the interview today? SECRETARY POWELL: I didn't -- I gave an interview the other day to Radio France and I suggested that we had to make sure that when we go forward on an action such as Resolution 1441, we must not be afraid of what might be required in the future to implement such a resolution. And that's the point I was making, and it applies to all of the Security Council members who understood what we were getting into when we passed Resolution 1441. Thank you. QUESTION: How long does Turkey have to respond to your (inaudible)? SECRETARY POWELL: I spoke to the Prime Minister this morning and I am waiting for a response back. I can't tell you when, though. It's up to them. QUESTION: You're not putting a deadline though? We've heard 48 hours. SECRETARY POWELL: Time is moving, but I don't have a deadline I'd like to announce right now. We are waiting to hear back from the Turks. I think they understand the importance of this issue to us and to our efforts and they've got it under consideration now. Thank you. (end transcript) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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