November 20, 2001
State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told the press on November 20 that the U.S. is actively working for a United Nations Security Council consensus on Iraq leading up to the November 30 sanctions deadline. Boucher was speaking at the State Department noon briefing.
"The United States remains very firmly committed to rebuilding a Security Council consensus on Iraq, around a new approach that precisely targets controls to prevent the Iraqi regime from rearming, particularly with weapons of mass destruction, and to further improve the humanitarian conditions of the Iraqi people," Boucher said, responding to a reporter's question.
Boucher added that the U.S. believes the draft resolution presented by the United Kingdom, contains the elements that will most effectively implement this approach. Russia is the only Security Council member not yet in agreement with this new approach, but Boucher said the U.S. "remains in close consultations with Russia" on this issue.
In response to a question about weapons inspections, Boucher said weapons inspections are a clear requirement of the UN Security Council, and that the U.S. calls upon Saddam and on the Iraqi regime to comply with the UN resolutions.
Following is the transcript of Boucher's remarks on Iraq.
(begin excerpt)
QUESTION: Richard, recognizing this is Thanksgiving week, and also that the clock is ticking very rapidly towards the end of the Iraq sanctions, what's going on, if anything, this week? And also, is anything planned for next week, if it's not for this week. What's the update on that?
MR. BOUCHER: Well, let me first of all make clear the United States remains very firmly committed to rebuilding a Security Council consensus on Iraq, around a new approach that precisely targets controls to prevent the Iraqi regime from rearming, particularly with weapons of mass destruction, and to further improve the humanitarian conditions of the Iraqi people.
We believe that the draft resolution, which the United Kingdom presented, contains the elements that will most effectively implement this approach. We are continuing to work with other members of the Security Council to achieve a resolution that will implement this improved system.
Russia, as you know, is the only Security Council member that is not yet in agreement with this new approach. We remain in close consultation with Russia, aimed at reaching an agreement for the Security Council action as soon as possible.
The secretary has discussed this issue with Foreign Minister Ivanov. We have had consultations at different levels with the Russians. We had a British team here about a week ago to talk to them in more detail, and obviously a lot of these consultations now are taking place at the United Nations. And we will continue to work in the United Nations as the deadline of November 30 approaches.
QUESTION: But you don't have anything specific this week?
MR. BOUCHER: No, I don't - these are sort of ongoing consultations and discussions in New York. The Secretary has talked to Foreign Minister Ivanov every couple of days. In many of those conversations, the subject has arisen. So it's an ongoing topic of discussion with other governments. We all know where we want to go by the end of the month, and we keep trying to get there.
QUESTION: Are you - sort of related - are you contemplating calling again through the UN once again that Saddam accept weapons inspections?
MR. BOUCHER: That's a standing requirement of the United Nations resolutions, and we always call upon Saddam and on the Iraqi regime to meet the requirements of the UN resolutions.
QUESTION: Are you thinking about re-upping it in some way, or changing it around, making it stronger?
MR. BOUCHER: It's as strong as it can be. It's a clear requirement of the Security Council. He needs to comply.
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