UN: Former Communist States Voice Hard Line On Iraq In Security Council

Radio Free Europe ^ | Feb. 20, 2003 | Robert McMahon

[FairOpinion]

Amid continued calls by many United Nations members for a peaceful solution to the Iraq crisis, several former communist states have reiterated support for the U.S. position on disarming Iraq. Ambassadors from Macedonia, Albania, Latvia, and Uzbekistan, among others, have urged the UN Security Council to consider stronger measures to ensure Iraqi compliance with its disarmament obligations.

United Nations, 20 February 2003 (RFE/RL) -- A two-day debate on Iraq has concluded with more calls for the United Nations Security Council to avoid a military solution to the crisis but also with warnings for Baghdad to comply quickly with its disarmament obligations.

The tone of the debate, which included statements from more than 60 states not on the council, generally favored more weapons inspections and added pressure on Iraq.

But a small group of former communist states, speaking yesterday, backed the U.S. position that Iraq must now face serious consequences for defying the council. Most of these states said Iraq is in material breach of its obligations under Resolution 1441. They urged the council to consider the tougher moves threatened under the measure.

The statements came days after French President Jacques Chirac warned Eastern and Central European states to "keep quiet" on their support for U.S. policy on Iraq. France is the chief force on the council opposing military action against Iraq.

Most European Union candidate states declined to address the open meeting of the council, aligning with the statement issued by EU leaders on Monday.

But Latvian UN Ambassador Gints Jegermanis said Latvia also wanted to express its own views. Jegermanis said Latvia regards the use of force as a last resort but added that it was Iraq's responsibility to make sure the issue was resolved peacefully. "The credibility of the United Nations, and the Security Council in particular, is at stake here. And Latvia calls upon the United Nations Security Council to take the necessary and appropriate action in response to Iraq's continuing threat to international peace and security," Jegermanis said.

Albania's ambassador, Agim Nesho, also challenged the international community to be more resolute in dealing with Iraq. Nesho said quicker action by the world community in the 1990s could have helped avoid much bloodshed in Bosnia and Kosovo. "Vain promises and empty rhetoric about peace do not avoid crime and secure peace. Recently in the Balkans, we have suffered the fatal consequences that derive from the delay of necessary decision making from the international community," Nesho said.

Albania is one of the "Vilnius 10" countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia) comprising former communist states hopeful of gaining membership in NATO. The group earlier this month issued a statement pledging to back the U.S. stance on Iraq, based on what members called the "compelling evidence" of Iraq's weapons programs.

Another "Vilnius 10" member, Macedonia, joined the small number of states yesterday that pressed for tougher council action. Macedonian Ambassador Srgjan Kerim said the threat of force must be maintained on Iraq to try to gain full compliance on inspections. "We have supported international efforts to achieve a peaceful disarmament of Iraq. However, it has now become clear that Iraq is in material breach of UN Security Council resolutions, including United Nations Resolution 1441," Kerim said.

Ambassador Alisher Vohidov of Uzbekistan, which provides a key base for U.S. forces operating in Afghanistan, said the United States had provided convincing arguments to support its move for tougher action against Iraq. "The solution does not lie in increasing the number of inspectors but in a change of Iraq's attitude to the issue of disarmament. The council has to take responsibility and undertake effective actions to force Iraq to implement Resolution 1441," Vohidov said.

As the speeches were under way in the chamber, U.S. and British diplomats continued to discuss a new council resolution that would set a final deadline for Iraqi compliance. It is expected to be presented in the next several days. British Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock told reporters yesterday that the debate over the new resolution would likely go beyond 1 March, when chief UN inspector Hans Blix is due to present his next written report to the council.

The draft resolution is expected to say Iraq is in "further material breach" of November's Resolution 1441 and would give Baghdad one last opportunity to disarm or face serious consequences. The words "material breach" are considered legal justification for military force.

Iraq's ambassador, Muhammad al-Duri, concluded yesterday's debate by reiterating that his country possesses no weapons of mass destruction. He said Iraq would continue to cooperate constructively with inspections to disprove charges that it had such weapons.

[FairOpinion]

While the basic information is already known, but it is nice to read the actual statements of these countries, standing firmly with us.

[DontMessWithMyCountry]

yes, very nice. Do you happen to be familiar with the current governmental structures in the "Vilnius" states?

[ApesForEvolution]

When do the climatic and relevant circumstances become unfavorable for US forces? What is the 'window' we are working in??

[FairOpinion]

Do you happen to be familiar with the current governmental structures in the "Vilnius" states?
-----

Not specifically, but I think they are striving to democracy, though they may not be quite there yet.
But I know that in Romania and Hungary ex-comunists are in charge and even they strongly support the US.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for posting this document!

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[FairOpinion]

When do the climatic and relevant circumstances become unfavorable for US forces? What is the 'window' we are working in??
----

I heard that it gets incredibly warm in the summer, and that we pretty much better do whatever we plan to do by the end of March, because things start to warm up in April.

I think the quagmire isn't Iraq, it's the UN. They try to delay us, until summer makes military action hard, then just continue to delay, delay...

[WOSG]

I think the quagmire isn't Iraq, it's the UN.

Well said. ... we have 200,000 troops now. we can take saddam in 2 weeks, probably less. but the UN process has now taken 6 MONTHS! How much longer do we need???

[FairOpinion]

I found another one! I just love reading these. :)

Chirac sparks 'New Europe' ire


Chirac has been widely condemned in the candidate countries
French President Jacques Chirac's criticism of the East European EU applicants' support for the US stance on Iraq has generated a wide debate and angry reaction in the press in those countries. The following are quotes from newspapers from across the region.

The Czech Republic

The French president is without doubt walking on thin ice when he tries to base European foreign policy on the principle of anti-Americanism. His theory does not even have the support of the majority of EU member states.
Hospodarske Noviny

All right, Monsieur Chirac, perhaps we are poor, perhaps we were not raised properly - but we do not repay those who have helped us and who continue to help us with ingratitude

Latvia's Neatkariga Rita Avize
All Central European nations are used to the interpretations that some countries have more rights than others. They are also used to furious tirades, followed by tanks. If Chirac wants to revive the spirit of Leonid Brezhnev and renew the doctrine of limited sovereignty, which means fewer rights for some countries, it is his own affair.
Mlada Fronta Dnes

The EU is a realistic kind of club where it's all about political power and pushing through the aims of individual states. And when it gets uncomfortable for EU politicians to take on board new countries, they calmly throw them overboard, for instance over their attitude to the USA.
Lidove Noviny

Hungary

Chirac is probably not alone in his views, even if the politicians of other EU states put things more diplomatically. However, the two camps, split over the Iraq affair, both seek the favours of the central and east-central European states which, owing to their Nato and expected EU membership, have grown in value.
Magyar Hirlap

Specific eastern European views has now become an unavoidable presence in the set of values of the expanding EU. It was no coincidence that, following the adoption of the joint stance, the French president criticized in unusually sharp language those candidate states which had been urging a firmer EU-US stand on Iraq.
Nepszabadsag

Latvia


After enlargement, the EU will be different. Less French or German, less Chirac's. However, not the worse for it

Pravda, Slovakia
All right, Monsieur Chirac. Perhaps we are poor. Perhaps we were not raised properly. We do not know about fine wine and the various directions of avant-garde art. But we do not repay those who have helped us and who continue to help us with ingratitude.
Neatkariga Rita Avize

Perhaps there are some in Paris who want to be the patriarch of Europe's "family", letting others in the family "knock on the door" humbly. By denying the right of others to hold independent views, however, France runs a risk of being alone with its own view.
Diena

Lithuania

Paris's attempt to ruin EU enlargement may lead to a rift in the EU. But this scenario would be a nightmare even for France itself, which is trying to proclaim itself as the strongest EU power.
Lietuvos Rytas

It seems France, the nation with old pedagogical traditions, decided to continue educating the European juniors.
Verslo Zinios

Poland Chirac allowed himself to say things which should not have been said... Poland can make its own sovereign decisions about its views. EU membership must not deprive us of this right. Loyalty towards Paris should not mean subordination. Loyalty brings obligations on both sides.
Rzeczopolita

Romania

French President Jacques Chirac's harsh criticism of Romania and Bulgaria for bad behaviour and recklessness for their support for the USA on Iraq is without precedent... During the Gulf War Romania was criticised for supporting Iraq and it is now criticised for supporting the USA.
Adevarul


Slovenia

Most senior politicians of sovereign states have no right to their own opinion, even if it is even more controversial than the "Vilnius declaration". The "cold shower" was sudden but it did not come completely out of the blue.
Delo

Slovakia

Jacques Chirac's degrading message to the candidate countries can actually be taken as a compliment. The French President admitted defeat in his rage. Suddenly the 15 [EU members] succeeded in resolving within a couple of hours a matter on which they were not able to agree for months. It was the "new Europe" which forced "the old" to overcome itself.
Sme

Neither Slovakia, nor any other candidate country will enter the EU to keep silent but in order to make their voice be heard more... After enlargement, the EU will be different. Less French or German, less Chirac's. However, not worse for that.
Pravda

"When [Chirac] reproached the candidate countries for not having discussed their attitudes with the others to a minimal extent at least, he forgot that it was mainly France and Germany who, since the very beginning, have taken a negative stance on a possible use of force against Iraq and on Turkey's request for ... military aid without asking about positions of other countries.
Narodna Obroda

From: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2780881.stm

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

They like us Cowboys!

[florinro]

I read in your post that Romania "supported" Irak during the Golf War. This is simply untrue.

1.Romania didn't become supportive of the United States in the last one year. We didn't change our simpathy for the United States as the wind blows or as the cash flows.

2.Romania has been always the European country with the largest percent of the population which is pro-American.

3.Finally and most relevant fact is that Romania had two mobile hospitals along with doctors, nurses and medical equipment in support of the Allies during the Gulf War.

PS Do you remember how president Bush was welcomed by 100,000 Romanians just few months ago in Bucharest? Tell me other European country where our president would be welcomed so warmly by such large crowds.

[florinro]

I read in your post that Romania "supported" Irak during the Golf War. This is simply untrue.

1.Romania didn't become supportive of the United States in the last one year. We didn't change our simpathy for the United States as the wind blows or as the cash flows.

2.Romania has been always the European country with the largest percent of the population which is pro-American.

3.Finally and most relevant fact is that Romania had two mobile hospitals along with doctors, nurses and medical equipment in support of the Allies during the Gulf War.

PS Do you remember how president Bush was welcomed by 100,000 Romanians just few months ago in Bucharest? Tell me other European country where our president would be welcomed so warmly by such large crowds.

[FairOpinion]

I read in your post that Romania "supported" Irak during the Golf War. This is simply untrue.
------

I didn't say anything like that. I reread the article to see if it said something like that, and still couldn't find it.

My point in general was that the people of East Europe and now their post-communist governments, even governments, who had communist ties before, now support the US. I appreciate their courage of not buckling under to the threats from France and Germany, and their strong statements and actions of support of the US.

I do remember the warm reception the Romanian people gave Bush, and remember reading an article, which mentioned a beautiful rainbow, while he spoke in Bucharest, which added symbolism.

[ApesForEvolution]

Yeah, I've done some research and you pretty much nailed it.

[ApesForEvolution]

Interesting to see how the worm will turn...

[1rudeboy]

Lithuania's President Adamkus (former resident of Chicago and regional director of the E.P.A. under Bush 41) was recently defeated in his re-election attempt (he pulled a Bob Dole) by the left-leaning former mayor of Vilnius, who is expected to continue his predecessor's policies concerning NATO-enlargement and accession to the EU.

[DontMessWithMyCountry]

i saw that (the pics and the statements)- very, very heart-warming to see the freedom shining on the faces of those folks...was wondering if maybe, just maybe, we could do a little trade... population trade that is.... you take our 100,000 appeas-niks, we take 100,000 of your patriots ;-)

[DontMessWithMyCountry]

his predecessors' policies, may i presume, were not 'favorable'? Or have i misunderstood your statement? I know nada about Lithuania. Btw, their president was a 'resident' of ours? Does he have a dual citizenship, or was he here on VISA/greencard? Thanks.

[1rudeboy]

Former President Adamkus arrived in the U.S. as a Displaced Person (refugee) after WW2 and was a naturalized U.S. citizen, giving him dual citizenship. In accordance with U.S. law, he renounced his U.S. citizenship in order to run for political office in Lithuania. He is pro-U.S., and the comment that I made earlier simply means that his successor, while being a little more "pink," is expected to be as well.

[DontMessWithMyCountry]

oh. very interesting. Thank you.

[1rudeboy]

My pleasure.

_____

President George W. Bush and Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus stand at attention during a welcoming ceremony [at dawn] at the Prezidentura, the Presidential Palace, in Vilnius, Lithuania, Nov. 23. A former Chicago-area resident and U.S. environmental regulator, President Adamkus was elected to office in 1998.

During his visit to Lithuania, President Bush received the Order of Vytautas the Great from President Adamkus at the Prezidentura in Vilnius, Lithuania, Nov. 23. The medal is given to individuals whose contributions have benefited the Lithuanian nation or the welfare of mankind. [I like this one--I imagine Bush saying "So, you worked for my dad?"]

Waiting for President Bush and President Adamkus, old and young Lithuanians hold the American and Lithuanian flags at Rotuse Square in Vilnius, Lithuania, Nov. 23. "You (the Lithuanian people) have known cruel oppression and withstood it. You were held captive by an empire and you outlived it. And because you have paid its cost you know the value of human freedom," said President Bush in his remarks. "Lithuania today is true to its best traditions of democracy and tolerance and religious liberty, and you have earned the respect of my nation and all nations.