Mr. President,

It has become convincing again that history only teaches us that it teaches nothing.

Today, we are witnessing an armed aggression against a sovereign Member State of the United Nations. The aggression that had been planned well in advance and launched in circumvention of the authorities of the UN Security Council that it is empowered with under the UN Charter.

To our deepest regret, the efforts undertaken by the peace-loving nations proved to be insufficient to avert war. The position of the international community was completely ignored and the process to settle the Iraqi issue through political and diplomatic means under the aegis of the United Nations - disrupted.

The President of the Republic of Belarus, its Government and the entire Belarusian people condemn the aggression against Iraq. We resolutely oppose any unilateral attempts to enforce whatever systems of administration and governance upon peoples of the world. Bombers cannot serve as means for delivery of humanitarian aid.

Belarus is very well aware of the horrible toll carried by war. During these tragic days the Iraqi people can rely on our full support.

The use of force as the last resort constitutes an exclusive prerogative of the UN Security Council of which the disregard leads to undermining the existing world order and downplaying the norms of international law.

The Republic of Belarus calls upon the UN Security Council to immediately stop the aggression and prevent further unjustified civilian casualties.

As a UN founding Member State, Belarus insists that an adequate assessment be given to the military action and urges for our Organization to reassert at this critical moment its direct responsibility for the maintenance of peace and the rule of law.

The resolution of the Iraqi issue in conformity with the objectives of the United Nations can only be attained through peaceful means based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and sovereign right of the Iraqi people to independently choose its own path of development.

I thank you, Mr. President.