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Statement Of Withdrawal Of Resolution
UNITED
NATIONS, March 17 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - The
statement by Britain's ambassador to the United Nations, Jeremy
Greenstock, announcing the withdrawal of a draft resolution seeking
authority for military action to disarm Iraq.
The
expression in paragraph nine "resolution in blue" refers to
the version of the draft formally submitted in final form on March 7.
"As
you know, we have worked very hard in the past few days in a final
effort to seek a council consensus on Iraq.
"In
an effort to reunite the council, the United Kingdom proposed last
week an ultimatum which would challenge Iraq to take a strategic
decision to disarm.
"There
were three key elements to the compromise we proposed.
"First,
tough but realizable tests, including an unequivocal commitment to
disarmament by Saddam Hussein.
"Second,
a realistic but tight timetable for completion of those tests, given
the urgent need for Iraq to comply after 12 years of prevarication.
"Third,
an understanding that if Iraq failed the tests, serious consequences
would ensue as set out in Resolution 1441.
"Having
held further discussions with council members over the weekend and in
the past few hours, we have had to conclude that council consensus
will not be possible in line with Resolution 1441.
"One
country in particular has underlined its intention to veto any
ultimatum quote no matter what the circumstances unquote.
"That
country rejected our proposed compromise before even the Iraqi
government itself and has put forward suggestions that would run back
on the unanimous agreement of the council in Resolution 1441. Those
suggestions would amount to no ultimatum, no pressure and no
disarmament.
"Given
those circumstances, the co-sponsors have agreed that we will not
pursue a vote on the draft UK-US-Spanish resolution in blue.
"The
communiqués and press statements issued at the Azores summit explain
the positions of our governments on the way forward.
"The
co-sponsors reserve their right to take their own steps to secure the
disarmament of Iraq." |
