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WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2002 – The United Nations Security Council resolution passed today is Iraq's last chance to comply with disarmament provisions passed earlier, according to information in the resolution.
In a speech to the world body on Sept. 12, President Bush said the United Nations must enforce its resolutions or risk becoming irrelevant. The Security Council resolution that came out of negotiations since then is tough and lays out step-by-step what Saddam Hussein's regime must do to affect a peaceful resolution to the current crisis. The resolution addresses most of the issues Bush asked the Security Council to consider in his speech. It does not contain specific penalties if Iraq fails to comply. If Iraq does fail to comply, the resolution calls on U.N. weapons inspectors to submit reports to the Security Council. U.N. Resolution 1441 recognizes the threat Iraq's continued non-compliance with previous U.N. resolutions poses. The United Nations deplores "the fact that Iraq has not provided an accurate, full, final, and complete disclosure of all aspects of its programs to develop weapons of mass destruction" and the means to deliver them, the resolution states. It declares Iraq "has been and remains in material breach" of it obligations to the United Nations. In the resolution, the Security Council says that this is "a final opportunity (for Iraq) to comply with its disarmament obligations." It sets up an enhanced inspection regime for the United Nations arms inspection teams. The resolution gives Iraq 30 days from the date of the resolution to provide "a current, accurate, full and complete declaration of all aspects" of its weapons of mass destruction programs. Iraq must provide information on all delivery systems and on all aspects of its research and development programs. The Security Council "decides that false statements or omissions" by Iraq or that country's failure to comply or cooperate "shall constitute a further material breach of Iraq's obligations and will be reported to the Council." The resolution forces Iraq to provide "immediate, unimpeded, unconditional, and unrestricted access" to areas in the country. Further, inspectors may have access to Iraqi personnel they wish to interview. This includes being able to take Iraqis and their families to safe areas out of the country to lessen the pressure Hussein can place on these citizens. The full text of the resolution can be viewed on the Internet at: http://www.un.org/News/dh/iraq/iraq-blue-e-110702-1198.pdf.
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