IRAQ: UAE opposes military solution to crisis

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Att.Editors: The following item is by the United Arab Emirates news agency (WAM)

NEW YORK, Feb 20 2003 (IPS) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) told the UN Security Council of its rejection to any non-peaceful solution of the Iraqi crisis that could trigger a new war in the region and called for enforcing the weapons inspection system in Iraq as the sole alternative to war.

Acting UAE permanent ambassador to the UN Abdullah Al Shamsi emphasized before a special council session on Iraq that all parties concerned should show their political good will to ward off military confrontation out of context of international legitimacy in order to avert adverse consequences.

– Valuable information presented by Chief UN weapons inspectors Hans Blix and director general of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohammed El Baradie to the Security Council since January 27 have shown the level of progress in Iraq’s cooperation to facilitate the mandate of international inspectors," Al Shamsi said.

These irrefutable findings, he noted, were an important positive step towards a just, comprehensive settlement to Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction.

ôWhile we believe, in light of these critical developments, in the necessity of building a solid base of mutual trust for cooperation between Iraq and UN arms inspectors so as to allow the latter finish their job as soon as possible, we demand the international community to pursue its effort of bolstering capabilities and performance of inspection mechanism in Iraq and give the inspectors required ample time to carry out their work in an objective and balanced manner that respects Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.

The international community, he stressed, must keep in mind five main issues while handling Iraq’s crisis.

1. Full respect of UN Security Council’s mandate and powers on crisis management, prevention of conflicts and building international peace. It stands as the only legal reference to evaluate inspections’ mission.

2. Dismissal and refusal of all unilateral military options and solutions which could ignite a new devastating war in the region.

3. Iraqi government should be demanded to continue full unconditional cooperation with disarmament system of its banned weapons as per international resolution 1441 and other related resolutions. Baghdad should also offer information and proof to fill gaps in disarmament declarations.

4. Iraq should also offer immediate compliance with other legal obligations including detainees from Kuwait and other nationalities and full respect for Kuwait’s sovereignty, security and independence.

5. The international community is demanded to shoulder its responsibilities away from double standards as per article 14 of resolution 687 calling for full disarmament of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East without exception of any state in reference to Israel which possesses these weapons.