Greenstock: 'We Will Not Pursue a Vote on
the UK/US/Spanish Resolution'

STATEMENT BY SIR JEREMY GREENSTOCK
UK PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UN

UK FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

March 17, 2003

I would like to make a statement on behalf of the three co-sponsors of the 7 March Draft Resolution. As you know, we have worked very hard in the last few days in a final effort to seek a Council consensus on Iraq. In an effort to reunite the Council, the United Kingdom proposed last week an ultimatum which would challenge Iraq to take a strategic decision to disarm. There were three key elements to the compromise we propose. First, tough be realisable tests, including an unequivocal commitment to disarmament by Saddam Hussein. Second, a realistic but tight timetable for completion of those tests given the urgent need for Iraq to comply after 12 years of prevarication. And third, an understanding that if Iraq failed the tests serious consequences would ensue as set out in resolution 1441. Having held further discussions with Council members over the weekend and in the last few hours, we have had to conclude that Council consensus will not be possible in line with resolution 1441. One country in particular has underlined its intention to veto any ultimatum 'no matter what the circumstances'. That country rejected our proposed compromise before even the Iraqi government itself and has put forward suggestions that would row back on the unanimous agreement of the Council in resolution 1441 and those suggestions would amount to no ultimatum, no pressure and no disarmament. Given this situation, the co-sponsors have agreed that we will not pursue a vote on the UK/US/Spanish resolution in blue. The communiques and press statements that issued at the Azores Summit explain the position of our governments on the way forward. The co-sponsors reserve their right to take their own steps to secure the disarmament of Iraq. Thank you.