STATEMENT BY IGOR IVANOV
RUSSIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

United Nations Security Council
New York

March 19, 2003

Esteemed Mr. President,

Esteemed Mr. Secretary General,

Esteemed colleagues,

The UN Security Council, by unanimously voting in favor of resolution 1441, assumed serious responsibility - to complete the process of the disarmament of Iraq.

Today we are in possession of the reports by the heads of UNMOVIC and IAEA on work done, and most important - their proposals as to what it is necessary to do in order to finally close the problem of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

We have no doubt that UNMOVIC and IAEA, which launched in Iraq an efficiently operating inspection mechanism, are in a position to do their tasks within a realistic time line.

The reports made by Mr. Hans Blix and Mr. Mohamed ElBaradei demonstrate convincingly that the international inspectors succeeded in achieving tangible results. I shall not dwell on concrete examples - they are well known. It is of fundamental importance that thanks to unity of the world community and to joint pressure on the Iraqi authorities, including via the military presence in the region, Baghdad accepted practically all the conditions laid down by the inspectors and did not seriously impede their activity.

So we have the right to assert that the international inspectors, if they are presented with a possibility to continue work, have everything necessary at their disposal to complete the process of disarming Baghdad by peaceful means.

Thus, the Security Council as the body with primary responsibility for the maintenance of peace and security fully coped with its duties by ensuring the sending to Iraq of the international inspectors and the creation of necessary conditions for their activity.

It is no mere chance that even those who today cast doubt upon the Council's role in Iraqi settlement are forced to admit that we will have no alternative but to return this issue to the Security Council, which alone has the right to deal with its comprehensive solution.

Taking into account all these considerations, we propose:

First, on behalf of the UN Security Council to give the highest assessment to the international inspectors' activity and to express to them, and to the heads of UNMOVIC and IAEA, Mr. Blix and Mr. ElBaradei, support and appreciation for the excellent work.

Second, to approve the reports submitted, which clearly record the current state of affairs with Iraq's proscribed military programs.

Third, in view of the complicated situation evolving around Iraq, to take note of the UN Secretary General's decision to recall the inspectors from Iraq because of the threat to their safety.

Fourth, since the mandate of UNMOVIC and IAEA is not completely fulfilled, the inspectors' work in Iraq is not to be terminated but temporarily suspended. The UN Security Council should, with due account of further developments in the situation, return to the issue of continuing this work in accordance with resolutions 1284 and 1441.

Mr. President,

It can only arouse regret that just when the prospect of disarming Iraq via inspections had become more than real, issues were brought to the forefront that bear no direct relation to resolution 1441 or other UN decisions on Iraq. None of these decisions gives the right to use force against Iraq in circumvention of the United Nations Charter. None of them gives the right to a forcible change of the leadership of a sovereign state.

Such actions - if they are undertaken - will not contribute to the strengthening of the unity of the international community at the moment when the world is in acute need of solidarity and the combining of efforts, primarily for rebuff to such a real and common threat for all as international terrorism.

Russia is convinced of the need to do everything possible to overcome the prevailing crisis situation as soon as possible and to keep the Iraq problem in the channel of political settlement on the solid basis of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Only thus shall we be able to provide conditions for the continuation of effective multilateral cooperation in the struggle against global challenges and threats with the preservation of the central role of the UN Security Council.

Mr. President,

Esteemed colleagues,

When on September 11, 2001, the monstrous tragedy befell the American people, the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, was the first to phone US President George W. Bush and to offer him solidarity and support. Those were the sincere feelings of the entire Russian people.

If today we indeed had irrefutable facts showing that a direct threat to the security of the United States of America emanates from the Iraq territory, then Russia without hesitation would be ready to use the whole arsenal of measures, envisaged by the UN Charter.

However, the Security Council today has no such facts and that is why we give preference to a political settlement with reliance upon the activities of UNMOVIC and IAEA, which enjoy the world community's full confidence.

Thank you for your attention.