STATEMENT BY JOSCHKA FISCHER
GERMAN FEDERAL FOREIGN MINISTER

GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

November 30, 2001

Federal Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer issued the following statement on Friday (30 November):

"The German Government welcomes the unanimous vote by the United Nations Security Council in favour of the resolution on extending the "oil-for-food" programme. With this resolution the Security Council has committed itself to amending and better targeting the sanctions regime for Iraq from 1 June 2002.

The German Government is calling for international sanctions regimes to be geared closely to their political objectives and for the unintended hardships for the civilian population to be prevented as far as possible. This is crucial if sanctions are to be successful.

The fact that all members of the Security Council voted in favour of the Iraq decision is an encouraging signal which demonstrates the growing consensus within the international community on this issue."