LATVIA'S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE U.N.,
MR. GINTS JEGERMANIS,
OUTLINES LATVIA'S POSITION ON IRAQ
AT THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL

LATVIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

February 20, 2003

On 19 February 2003 Permanent Representative of Latvia to the UN, Mr Gints Jegermanis, participated in the UN Security Council's open debate. Outlining Latvia's position on Iraq, Mr Jegermanis noted that "Latvia has repeatedly stressed that Iraq must fully comply with its international obligations and immediately rid itself of its weapons of mass destruction, which present a clear threat to world peace and security." A change of attitude on the part of Iraqi authorities and Iraq's full cooperation with weapons inspectors is an absolutely essential precondition for solving the crisis. Therefore, he urged Iraq to "take advantage of this last opportunity presented by the UN SC resolution 1441."

The Ambassador pointed out that Iraq still remains in material breach of its commitments under resolution 1441. Thus, the "responsibility of maintaining peace rests squarely on Iraq's shoulders." Latvia believes that the UN must maintain its authority and calls upon the Security Council to act energetically in response to Iraq's continuing threat to international peace and security.