Vol. 560 No. 1
304 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will come out publicly against the proposed obscene war on Iraq; if he accepts that the UN inspectors searching for banned weapons of mass destruction have found nothing so far; and if he will use his power and influence at the UN to prevent war. [1043/03]
The Government wants to see the present differences between Iraq and the international community resolved peaceably, through the United Nations. We want to avoid any recourse to unilateral action.
UN Security Council Resolution 1441, which Ireland supported and worked hard to secure, is designed to avoid war by giving the Iraqi authorities a final chance to comply with their obligation to divest themselves of their chemical, biological and nuclear weapons capabilities. Unfortunately, the Iraqi leadership has refused for more than a decade to comply with this demand, inflicting further wilful suffering on its people. It is a matter of considerable regret that only the credible threat that further non-compliance will lead to military action appears to hold any prospect of inducing a change in this attitude.
In their report to the Security Council, delivered on Monday, the UN weapons inspectors have made clear that while some progress has been achieved, the co-operation of the Iraqi authorities has fallen short of what is demanded and that they can and must do more to demonstrate that they have met the requirements laid down unanimously by the UN Security Council.
It is obvious to all that, one way or another, the Iraqi leadership will no longer be permitted to evade its disarmament obligations. Those who suggest otherwise serve only to increase the likelihood of war. In the interests of peace, the Iraqi leadership must be left in no doubt that it has no viable alternative but to comply quickly, fully, and unambiguously with the demands of the Security Council. If it does, then war can be avoided. The fact is that Saddam Hussein could end this confrontation tomorrow by simply ordering his regime to co-operate fully and proactively with the UN inspectors.
The Government will seek to use all its influence in favour of a peaceful solution. Ireland is no longer a member of the Security Council, but we will continue our efforts, through the UN, the EU and bilateral contacts with the US and others, including the countries of the region.
