On 31
October, Iraq announced its complete cessation of the little remaining cooperation with
the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM). It also decided to continue to restrict
the work of the IAEA. The Iraqi decision was surprising, and somewhat incomprehensible, in
light of the important fact that the Security Council, the day before, had formulated a
unified view on the concept of a comprehensive review of Iraqi compliance. Such a
comprehensive review would inter alia have marked the road out of sanctions for
Iraq. But it can not take place until Iraq is back in full cooperation with UNSCOM and
IAEA. And steps like those now taken by Iraq will not get it any closer to the lifting of
sanctions. We are always ready to listen to the views of the Government of Iraq. But
attempts to bargain with the Security Council over its resolutions can not be accepted.
In the draft resolution in front of us,
the Security Council condemns Iraq's behaviour and confirms its demands on Iraq. The
message can not be misunderstood: Iraq must immediately rescind its unacceptable decisions
of 31 October and of 5 August and come back into full compliance and cooperation. There is
no room for compromise on these fundamental principles.
At the same time, this resolution does
not only repeat the Council's demands. It also reaffirms that Iraq's compliance with all
its obligations will make it possible for the Security Council to lift the sanctions, as
stipulated in resolution 687 (1991). It restates the Council's readiness to carry out a
comprehensive review of Iraq's compliance with its obligations, once Iraq has rescinded
its decisions and resumed full cooperation with UNSCOM and IAEA. It is our sincere hope
that the message embedded in these paragraphs - an exit sign for the route out of
sanctions - shall not be missed by Baghdad.
Finally, a very important principle is
reflected in the last paragraph of the resolution. The Security Council's primary
responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, as laid down in
the Charter of the United Nations, must not be circumvented. We see this as an expression
of the desire of Members to safeguard that responsibility.
Sweden fully supports the resolution
before us.
Permanent
Mission of Sweden to the United Nations