Despite many incorrect Press reports, the United Nations has NOT endorsed military action against Iraq ! The purpose of the United Nations – and its Member-States - is to promote peaceful resolution of international disagreements. (Please see end of article.)
Iraq’s President Saddam Hussein has accepted the United Nations Security Council demand for the return of its inspectors and their unconditional access to Iraq. The U.N. inspectors - UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are expected to arrive in Iraq on Monday.
Yesterday, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan stressed that beyond accepting the resolution, Iraq must implement it. "It's their performance on the ground" that counts, he said, urging Baghdad to cooperate with the inspectors. "That is the real test we are all waiting for."
Failure of Iraq to comply with the resolution, however, would NOT mean that a military response would automatically occur! A careful reading of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1198 should prove that the United Nations has not approved a “Gulf War II”.
Iraq’s President Saddam Hussein has accepted the United Nations Security Council demand for the return of its inspectors and their unconditional access to Iraq. The U.N. inspectors - UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are expected to arrive in Iraq on Monday.
Yesterday, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan stressed that beyond accepting the resolution, Iraq must implement it. "It's their performance on the ground" that counts, he said, urging Baghdad to cooperate with the inspectors. "That is the real test we are all waiting for."
Failure of Iraq to comply with the resolution, however, would NOT mean that a military response would automatically occur! A careful reading of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1198 should prove that the United Nations has not approved a “Gulf War II”.