REMARKS BY KOFI ANNAN
UN SECRETARY GENERAL

UNITED NATIONS

October 25, 2002

Excerpts

Q: upon arrival at Headquarters we understand that negotiations are starting in a hard way about Iraq in the Security Council and that now even Russia and France are submitting their own version of a working paper. Do you feel that this is going to slow things down? What do you think about the state of negotiations now?

SG: First of all, we shouldn't forget that the resolution, the draft resolution, was given to the members only this week, on Monday. There's been lots of discussions in capitals between the P-5 but the Council as such just got the resolution. And I think there's going to be quite a lot of discussions amongst the members. And it's appropriate, because we're dealing with a very serious matter. It's democracy in practice; it takes a bit of time but with patience, we'll get an optimal decision.

Q: Did you also get a letter from the Iraqis yesterday about their position on the resolution? Could you comment on that and your response?

SG: I just got back. If there is a letter, I haven't had time to review it.

Q: Mr. Secretary-General, there is a possibility we might not reach a resolution. Ari Fleischer said there is a 50-50 chance. Now, we understand from Hans Blix and El-Baradei that the only reason they are not there is because they don't want a resolution to come and change their mandate halfway. If we don't reach a resolution, an agreement – and I'm sure you'd like to see a unified Council – do you see any reason why they shouldn't go to Iraq straight away?

SG: In the first place, I do expect a Council resolution and I expect it to be unanimous. There's hard discussions going on, and I hope in the end they will be fruitful, and that the inspectors will go back to Iraq with the support of a united Council behind them.

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