Fundamental to Ireland's foreign policy is the view that international peace and security must be based on respect for and compliance with the rule of international law, including the decisions of the UN Security Council. In the case of Iraq, we expect the Iraqi Government to comply with the Resoluations of the Security Council and to co-operate fully with the United Nations in implementing them.
Informal consultations between members of the UN Security Council were carried out on 23 and 29 March on the question of sanctions imposed on Iraq. The consultations take place in private. The president of the Security Council subsequently stated, on behalf of the Council members, that there was no agreement to alter existing sanctions. As Iraq has yet to comply fully with its obligations under the Security Council Resolutions, the sanctions remain in force.