| |
A US-Russian pas de
deux
By Thalif Deen
NEW YORK
- The United States and Russia are at loggerheads over
how the United Nations Security Council should respond
to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's surprise decision to
permit UN arms inspectors unconditional access to his
country.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell and
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov differed Tuesday on
the prospect of resuming UN arms inspections inside
Iraq. Powell insisted on a new Security Council
resolution imposing "tough standards and tough
conditions" to ensure that Iraq delivers on its
promises. But Ivanov brushed aside the US suggestion,
arguing that if UN inspectors are to be dispatched to
Iraq "we don't need any special resolution for that".
One diplomatic source told Inter Press Service
that it is obvious that Saddam Hussein's dramatic
turnaround on arms inspections has driven a wedge
between the two veto-wielding permanent members of the
Security Council. The Iraqi president's "tactical move"
is also bound to split the 15-member council as a whole,
he predicted.
The decision to permit UN
inspectors has also temporarily neutralized US plans for
an impending military attack on Iraq. Responding to
Iraq's decision, White House Deputy Spokesman Scott
McClellan said Monday, "This is a tactical step by Iraq
in hopes of avoiding strong UN Security Council action."
Last week, Washington began lobbying members of
the council for a new resolution that would set an
ultimatum for Saddam: permit UN inspectors into his
country or face the consequences of a US military
attack. But Monday's decision by Iraq - conveyed in a
letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan - has also
derailed US plans to obtain Security Council blessings
for the proposed military attack on Baghdad.
US
President George W Bush said last week that he was
taking a hard line on Iraq for two reasons: the
country's capacity to produce weapons of mass
destruction and its continued violation of Security
Council resolutions. Ivanov said on Tuesday that the
primary issue was the elimination of weapons of mass
destruction.
"Iraq has provided an opportunity
[for inspections] with no pre-conditions. We are all
concerned with weapons of mass destruction. The question
is whether Iraq possesses these weapons of mass
destruction. That can be answered only by UN arms
inspectors," he said. The foreign minister also said
that "in order to get the facts, we have to ensure the
speedy return of arms inspectors" to Iraq.
Asked
if the Security Council should spell out the
consequences of an Iraqi default, Ivanov said, "If we
start dealing with hypothetical questions, we will never
finish our discussions."
But Powell said that he
was skeptical about Iraq's sincerity given Saddam's
"past history" of reneging on his pledges. "We cannot
have business as usual," he said. "We have seen this
game played before. The issue is not arms inspectors.
The issue is disarmament, the treatment of minorities
and the return of [Kuwaiti] prisoners [of war]."
Powell said the "one-and-a-half page [Iraqi]
letter is not the end of the matter".
The United
States, he added, "will have to go to the Security
Council to see what appropriate action we can take", not
only to ensure Iraq's compliance with UN resolutions but
also the circumstances and conditions under which
inspectors could return. But more importantly, Powell
said, the United States would like to see the
consequences spelled out if Iraq does not co-operate
fully. "It is very appropriate to do this."
A
Third World diplomat said that there could be strong
resistance to any US move to impose new conditions on
Iraq. "Let's give the inspectors a chance. If Iraq does
fail to honor its commitment, then there could be
justification for a tougher stance."
Iraqi
Foreign Minister Naji Sabri said on Tuesday that his
country was expecting "a speedy and immediate resumption
of arms inspections". The logistics were now under
discussion, he added. Iraq's turnaround is attributed to
strong pressure from Arab nations, including Saudi
Arabia, which warned Saturday that it will cooperate
with Washington on any military strikes on Iraq -
provided such a strike was authorized by the Security
Council.
On Monday, Annan paid tribute to the
League of Arab States, and particularly its Secretary
General Amr Moussa, for convincing Iraq to permit UN
inspectors into the country. He also said that Bush's
speech to the General Assembly last week had
"galvanized" the international community. "As most of
you heard, almost every speaker in the General Assembly
urged Iraq to accept the return of the inspectors."
(Inter Press Service)
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
