Posted on 02/19/2003 1:11:14 AM PST by witnesstothefall
PARIS, - U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on Wednesday accused countries like France that want much longer arms inspections in Iraq of being "afraid" to take responsibility for a possible war.
In an interview with French public radio France Info, he also said Washington already had United Nations authority under November's resolution 1441 to use force even without a second resolution it was now drafting. France, which has a veto in the Security Council, says it sees no need for a new resolution.
"It cannot be a satisfactory solution for inspections just to continue forever because some nations are afraid of stepping up to the responsibility of imposing the will of the international community," Powell said.
"And so we are working with our friends and allies to (define) the content of a second resolution and when one would table such a resolution. I would also point out that many of us believe, and the United States believes, that there is probably enough authority in resolution 1441 to take action."
"It is not a matter of more inspectors or a longer inspection process. French colleagues think that that is the issue. That is not the issue in our judgment," Powell said.
Powell Accuses France of Being Afraid
US Secretary of State Colin Powell accused countries, such as France, who speak out for longer weapon's inspections, of shying away from the responsibility of war.
In an interview with the French radio station France Info Powell also emphasized that the USA is justified strike Iraq militarily even without a second UN resolution.
"It can't be a satisfactory solution to let inspections continue indefinitely because a few countries are afraid to assume the responsibility of enforcing the will of the international community", said Powell. Besides France, particularly Germany has spoken out for a continuation of UN inspections and a peaceful solution of the Iraq conflict. It's not a question of more inspections or a longer inspection process. The USA didn't share the view of French colleagues.
Powell added that the USA indeed conferred with its allies over a second Iraq resolution. The Iraq resolution enacted in November was nonetheless sufficient to proceed against Iraq. France had stated that a second US resolution is not necessary and indicated war as solely a last resort. The country has rights to a veto in the UN Security Council with which it can block any resolution bill. The USA and Great Britain have threatened Iraq with war if the country doesn?t fulfill UN demands to disarm.
Spiegel / Yahoo Germany / Reuters
Spiegel.. Powell wirft Frankreich Ängstlichkeit vor
Yahoo-Germany..Powell wirft Frankreich in Irak-Frage Ängstlichkeit vor
Translated by longjack
German Ping
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