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Allies split on how to act in Iraq campaign

September 19 2002
By Caroline Overington
New York

Saddam Hussein's decision to allow weapons inspectors to return to his country has shattered a new alliance between the United States, France and Russia, with the three countries in dispute about how to proceed in the campaign against Iraq.

The degree to which Russia's support for the US position had evaporated became clear at a news conference in New York yesterday, when the two nations clashed over whether the United Nations Security Council still needed to pass a tough resolution to force Iraq to comply with the international community's demands.

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said: "We don't need any special resolution. All the resolutions we need, we already have."

US Secretary of State Colin Powell strongly disagreed, saying: "We've seen this game before." He said the council should pass a "tough resolution. If they (the Iraqis) are serious, they will want one".

The exchange prompted UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who was sitting between the two men, to plead for unity among nations, saying the Iraqi leader had only agreed to open the country's borders to weapons inspectors because the international community had shown Iraq a united front.

Russia's stance was echoed by French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, who agreed that the focus should not be on a new resolution but the quick return of inspectors.

Russia and France are among the five permanent members that have veto power on the UN Security Council.

Despite the divisions, US officials remain confident that they could pass a tough new resolution within days.

Iraq's Foreign Minister, Naji Sabri, told reporters in New York that Iraq wanted a smooth resumption of inspections, with "no pressure, so we can finish this job quickly".

The United States does not believe that Iraq is serious about allowing inspectors unfettered access, with Mr Powell telling reporters that, "to keep the pressure on, we need a new road, a different road . . . with tough conditions, tough standards".

Mr Powell said Iraq had only agreed to allow inspectors to return because "the entire international community came together and said this is unacceptable. Enormous pressure was put on Iraq as a result and Iraq reacted to that pressure".

Wary that the Iraqi offer is reopening a rift on the Security Council that briefly unified on Iraq policy this week, President George Bush warned yesterday that the world must not be fooled by Iraq's latest offer.

"The United Nations must act," he said. "It's time to determine whether or not they'll be a force for good and peace or an ineffective debating society."

Mr Annan acknowledged the US position, saying that "given the history, there are member states who feel that we should not return to business as usual, and that we should take steps to ensure that the inspectors are able to go about their work unimpeded".

Despite being among the last to join the US campaign, China now appears reluctant to leave the camp, with its official news agency saying only that China "hope that Iraq will comprehensively implement the UN resolutions to create the necessary conditions for the orderly and peaceful resolution of the Iraq issue".

Arab nations that deserted Iraq earlier this week are now offering support to Baghdad.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said a resolution was not necessary, adding that the UN should concentrate on "implementing what Iraq has accepted, the return of the inspectors", adding that this was "the beginning of the easing of tension".

Meanwhile, the UN's chief weapons inspector, Hans Blix, emerged from a meeting with Iraq's representatives yesterday to say he could have inspectors on the ground within days. Mr Blix will brief the Security Council tomorrow.

At the meeting, Iraq agreed to meet the weapons inspectors in Vienna in 10 days to complete arrangements.

Mr Blix said he would meet Iraqi officials in Vienna the week of September 30 to discuss practical arrangements for inspectors to be readmitted and to make sure the inspectors and the Iraqi government agree on what is required.

Mr Blix today will meet the Iraqi ambassador to the United Nations, Mohammed Aldouri, and further talks will take place in Vienna from September 30.

Mr Annan was quick to tell reporters that Mr Blix could do preliminary work, and "of course, if the Security Council were to give him (Mr Blix) further guidance he will factor that into his work". "For the moment he has to face himself with the existing resolutions on the understanding he will have to make adjustments if guidance were to come from the council."

- with Washington Post, Los Angeles Times



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