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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Mar 2003

Vol. 562 No. 5

Written Answers - UN Resolutions.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

209 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the difference the Government perceives between non-compliance by Israel with United Nations resolutions and non compliance on the part of Iraq that justifies a war; the implications for the double standards involved for international policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6396/03]

As I have already told the House, the Government is of the view that all resolutions of the United Nation's Security Council should be respected and obeyed. This includes both those resolutions applying to Iraq and those relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Government regrets the failure of Israel to comply with the wishes of the Security Council as expressed in numerous resolutions.

A significant difference between the two groups of resolutions is that those relating to Iraq have been adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter, which provides for enforcement action by the UN, while those relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were adopted under Chapter VI of the Charter, which does not. The fact that Council resolutions were adopted many years ago does not weaken their force. It is clear to all involved in the search for peace in the Middle East that the provisions of Council resolutions 242 and 338 and other relevant resolutions will form the basis for the eventual settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In the case of Iraq, the Security Council has applied economic sanctions for 12 years in a so far unsuccessful attempt to secure Iraq's full surrender of its weapons of mass destruction. Article 42 of the Charter allows for the Security Council to authorise military action to maintain or restore international peace and security where measures such as sanctions have proved to be inadequate.
According to the Charter, it is for the Security Council to decide in what circumstances the use of force is justified. I could not accept the Deputy's contention that the Security Council is applying double standards.
Question No. 210 answered with Question No. 142.
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