Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=FEBRUARY 24, 2003

TYPE=INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

TITLE=SAQEB MUWEN/IRAQ

NUMBER=3-552

BYLINE=PAT BODNAR

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

INTERNET=

/// Editors: This interview is available in Dalet under SOD/English News Now Interviews in the folder for today or yesterday ///

HOST: The United States and Britain have embarked on a final diplomatic push this week to win enough votes to pass a Security Council resolution on the use of force against Iraq. France has resisted the pressure, saying there is no need for another resolution as long as inspections are working. As a permanent member of the Security Council, France could use its veto to block any new resolution.

Saqeb Muwen (SOCK-eb Moo-een) is the deputy Editor of the Royal United Services Institute Journal in London. He says there has been much behind-the scene negotiations to pass a second resolution.

MR. MUWEN: There has been a lot of wrangling behind the scenes, as we can see. There may be a wording that will be acceptable to a majority of the Security Council. What remains to be seen is whether the veto members will come towards the United States and the U.K.

MS. BODNAR: France has threatened to veto. Russia and China, as other Permanent Members, are at least rhetorically saying that they back France's position. What do you think Britain and the U.S. need to do in order to get this resolution passed?

MR. MUWEN: I think it's all down to the language. The talk is it will be a pretty bland statement. That may be worthwhile. And as a face-saving institution, at the end of the day, a bland statement will come about that will be acceptable to France. It will allow it to back down on its veto. As well as Russia, it can go to its public and say, This is what we did. And the question is whether this will be the resolution that will lead to war, as George Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair wants.

MS. BODNAR: Now, France hasn't vetoed a U.S. resolution in many years.

MR. MUWEN: Indeed.

MS. BODNAR: And Russia and China at least say that they are reluctant to risk the friendship that they're building with the United States at this point. Is a direct challenge to France, and possibly Russia and China, on a veto likely?

MR. MUWEN: I don't think so. It is a face-saving measure at the moment. A lot of quiet diplomatic skill is necessary now, and a face-saving resolution is what is needed for this week.

MS. BODNAR: If there is trouble in getting a new resolution passed, what effect might it have on Prime Minister's Blair's domestic situation right now? He is experiencing quite a lot of opposition at home.

MR. MUWEN: There was an opinion poll only last week, stating that if -- a majority agreed, and it was a slim majority -- they agreed that if there was a second resolution, the British public would be happy for Tony Blair to go to war. If there wasn't one, Tony Blair has a tall order. He has not only his own party to convince, he has a majority of the British public to convince as well as establishment figures within the military and Whitehall.

HOST: Saqeb Muwen (SOCK-eb Moo-een) is the deputy Editor of the Royal United Services Institute Journal in London.

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