Rumsfeld Discusses U.N. Resolution, Patterns of Iraqi Behavior

Rumsfeld, traveling to Chile to participate in the Defense Ministerial of the Americas, talked to reporters about U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441. He said the resolution calls on Iraq to state and declare what weapons of mass destruction it has. It also calls for Iraq to declare other capabilities it has in violation of 17 U.N. resolutions, such as missile technology.

"Saddam Hussein has an obligation under (the resolution) to affirmatively state what they have," Rumsfeld said. "One would think that that would be a help to the inspectors if they are honestly and accurately answered. Not just to what they have, but where it's located."

But what is a material breach of Resolution 1441 is in doubt. The secretary said that decision is up to the Security Council and U.N. member states.

For instance, he said, Iraqi air defenses have continued attacks on U.S. and coalition aircraft since Hussein accepted the resolution. Iraqi gunners fired on coalition planes Nov. 16 in the Southern No-fly Zone; U.S. warplanes responded by dropping precision-guided weapons on Iraqi air defense sites.

"I have always found it unacceptable for any country to shoot at our aircraft with impunity," Rumsfeld said. "The resolution addresses the subject (of Iraqi fire on coalition aircraft), and it's up to the Security Council and the member states to make conclusions as to what is or is not a material breach."

The secretary remarked that he believes the United Nations would be looking for a pattern of behavior to determine material breaches of the U.N. resolution. Repeated firing at coalition planes would certainly be considered

Rumsfeld reiterated that the United States has nothing against the Iraqi people, just against the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein. He said that anyone involved in the design and use of weapons of mass destruction will be held particularly responsible.