Senator the Hon. Robert Hill,
Minister for Defence
Leader of the Government in the Senate
20 Mar 2003
MIN20303031/03
SENATE QUESTION TIME
Parliament House
2.30pm, Thursday, 20 March 2003
E&oe____________________International support for the coalition of the willing
Senator Sandy Macdonald
My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Hill. Will you inform the Senate of the rapidly increasing international support for the coalition of the willing to enforce the existing 17 UN Security Council resolutions to disarm Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction?
Senator Robert Hill
I thank Senator Sandy Macdonald for his question. It is a good question and it follows well after Senator Carr's question, because whilst I said that the international community as a whole - through 18 resolutions of the Security Council - demands the disarmament of Iraq, more countries are now coming on board not only to recognise that diplomatic efforts have failed and that Iraq must be forcibly disarmed but also to be part of that forcible disarmament - part of the so-called coalition of the willing.
(Interjection: What about Spain?)
I was about to mention Spain, so thank you, Senator Sherry for that help. Over 40 countries are now part of the coalition of the willing.
(Interjection: What about the Italians?)
Okay; we will get there.
President
Order! Senator Carr and Senator Sherry, you know that you are out of order by shouting across the chamber. Please pay some respect to the minister answering the question.)
Senator Robert Hill
What I was saying is that now more than 40 nations will participate in or support the coalition to disarm Iraq. Among those who have publicly stated their support are Japan, South Korea, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, the Czech Republic, the Philippines and Denmark. It is said by some on the other side that they are not part of the operation and that all they are doing is providing base or overflight rights.
Poland will contribute 200 soldiers, including Special Forces, chemical, logistical units. Poland's President said in announcing this that Poland 'knew very well what the consequences of neglect and indifference to a military could be', Senator Carr. Denmark will contribute a submarine, a frigate, doctors and army liaison staff. The Netherlands has already committed Patriot missiles in defence of Turkey and is sending a frigate and a submarine to the theatre. Spain has said that it will send a hospital ship, a refuelling ship and a frigate. Spain would also allow Spanish military bases to be used and to provide CBW experts. The Korean cabinet will ask the National Assembly to approve a plan to send an engineering battalion of 500 to 600 soldiers. And so it goes on.
In relation to our own region, we hear from the Labor Party that our region is opposed to this action. I remind the Labor Party: Japan's Prime Minister said on 18 March that President Bush had no other choice but to make the decision to issue an ultimatum to Iraq as the UN Security Council had not been able to agree on a common stance. He said that, given past resolutions, another one was not necessary to authorise the use of force.
Singapore's Foreign Minister on 14 March said that if military action occurred it would be because of Iraq's failure to comply with UN Security Council resolutions. Singapore, like us, had favoured a second resolution but failure to achieve a consensus on one could not be taken as an excuse for inaction. The Philippines Foreign Minister said on 16 March that the forcible disarming of Saddam was mandated by UN Security Council resolution 1441 and that the Philippines would be part of the coalition of the willing. And so I could go on. More and more nations are now coming on board, recognising that diplomacy is failing but nevertheless accepting the only response now to disarm Saddam Hussein of his weapons of mass destruction to meet the demand of the whole international community was to do it forcibly.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
