Tomorrow, the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet at the request of the League of Arab States and the Non-Aligned Movement. It will be the first S.C. open debate since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
It might do well for all concerned to re-read Resolution 1441, particularly the key operative paragraphs: 4, 11, 12 and 13.
“ 4. Decides that false statements or omissions in the declarations submitted by Iraq pursuant to this resolution and failure by Iraq at any time to comply with, and cooperate fully in the implementation of, this resolution shall constitute a further material breach of Iraq’s obligations and will be reported to the Council for assessment in accordance with paragraphs 11 and 12 below; …
“11. Directs the Executive Chairman of UNMOVIC and the Director-General of the IAEA to report immediately to the Council any interference by Iraq with inspection activities, as well as any failure by Iraq to comply with its disarmament obligations, including its obligations regarding inspections under this resolution;
12. Decides to convene immediately upon receipt of a report in accordance with paragraphs 4 or 11 above, in order to consider the situation and the need for full compliance with all of the relevant Council resolutions in order to secure international peace and security;
13. Recalls, in that context, that the Council has repeatedly warned Iraq that it will face serious consequences as a result of its continued violations of its obligations;
14. Decides to remain seized of the matter.”
The key phrases in the above are clearly “…will be reported to the Council for assessment…” and “…serious consequences…”.
This means that the Security Council must “assess” the situation and determine what “serious consequences” means.
There is absolutely no automatic authorisation for war !
Paul V. Rafferty
United Nations: http://www.un.org
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441:
http://www.iaea.or.at/worldatom/Press/Focus/IaeaIraq/iraqres.pdf
League of Arab States: http://www.arableagueonline.org/arableague/index_en.jsp
Non-Aligned Movement: http://www.nam.gov.za/
It might do well for all concerned to re-read Resolution 1441, particularly the key operative paragraphs: 4, 11, 12 and 13.
“ 4. Decides that false statements or omissions in the declarations submitted by Iraq pursuant to this resolution and failure by Iraq at any time to comply with, and cooperate fully in the implementation of, this resolution shall constitute a further material breach of Iraq’s obligations and will be reported to the Council for assessment in accordance with paragraphs 11 and 12 below; …
“11. Directs the Executive Chairman of UNMOVIC and the Director-General of the IAEA to report immediately to the Council any interference by Iraq with inspection activities, as well as any failure by Iraq to comply with its disarmament obligations, including its obligations regarding inspections under this resolution;
12. Decides to convene immediately upon receipt of a report in accordance with paragraphs 4 or 11 above, in order to consider the situation and the need for full compliance with all of the relevant Council resolutions in order to secure international peace and security;
13. Recalls, in that context, that the Council has repeatedly warned Iraq that it will face serious consequences as a result of its continued violations of its obligations;
14. Decides to remain seized of the matter.”
The key phrases in the above are clearly “…will be reported to the Council for assessment…” and “…serious consequences…”.
This means that the Security Council must “assess” the situation and determine what “serious consequences” means.
There is absolutely no automatic authorisation for war !
Paul V. Rafferty
United Nations: http://www.un.org
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441:
http://www.iaea.or.at/worldatom/Press/Focus/IaeaIraq/iraqres.pdf
League of Arab States: http://www.arableagueonline.org/arableague/index_en.jsp
Non-Aligned Movement: http://www.nam.gov.za/