Bernard J. Durkan
Question:269 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position taken by him at EU and UN levels in relation to the confrontation between the US and Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7419/03]
Written Answers - Foreign Conflicts.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:290 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position likely to be taken at EU and UN level in the event of an outbreak of hostilities in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7440/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:293 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position in regard to the impending war in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7443/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 269, 290 and 293 together.
From the outset, the Government has made it clear in the Dáil and in other fora such as the UN and EU that it favoured the resolution of the current crisis by the UN through peaceful means. It remains our strong hope that this will be possible, and we are encouraging the efforts being made by the international community to ensure this outcome. The Government take the position that war is not inevitable, that force must be used only as a last resort, that we support the work of the arms inspectors and that the unity and firmness of the international community will remain essential in achieving the full co-operation needed to attain the goal of disarming Iraq peacefully.
The conclusions of the European Council of 17 February restated the European Union objective of full and effective Iraqi disarmament and the desire to achieve this peacefully. I am pleased at the level of consensus which this reflected. In our discussions we took full account of the deep public concerns about the possibility of conflict. Ireland made a significant contribution to the shaping of these conclusions. Every European Union Government is anxious to avoid war. That is why we want to see the disarmament of Iraq achieved through exclusively peaceful means, in accordance with Resolution 1441.
We have supported, and during our term on the Security Council worked hard to further, the efforts of the international community to arrive at a solution to this issue which will compel the Iraqi authorities to meet their obligations without the need for resort to the actual use of military force. Ireland, as a member of the Security Council, played an active and constructive role in building the unanimous support for UN Security Council Resolution 1441. A unified and coherent approach within the Security Council is most likely to succeed in convincing Saddam Hussein to comply with Iraq's obligations.
As regards what position would likely be taken at EU and UN level in the event of an outbreak of hostilities, I believe no useful purpose would be served by my speculation given the many uncertainties which apply at present.