New York, 14 January 2003 - Secretary-General's press conference
Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen – and Happy New Year!
We start the year with anxiety – anxiety over the prospect of war in Iraq, over nuclear proliferation in the Korean
peninsula, and over what seems like violence without end in the Middle East. Even Côte d'Ivoire, which used to be one of
the most stable and prosperous countries in Africa, is now caught in the downward spiral of conflict.
The threat of global terror hangs over all of us. We don't where or when it will strike next.
And these are only the crises in the headlines!
The worldwide AIDS epidemic will claim many more lives this year than even a war in Iraq would, and will then go on
claiming more and more lives in 2004 and 2005. In southern Africa and the Horn of Africa, as many as thirty million
people face the threat of starvation this year. And poverty everywhere is condemning mothers and infants to premature
deaths, sending them to bed hungry, denying them clean drinking water, keeping them away from school.
Meanwhile, climate change is already here. It is one of the reasons why we have so many storms, floods and droughts,
causing more and more humanitarian emergencies and tragedies.
And yet, I am still an optimist.
Today's threats are not the first we have faced. What's more, I believe in the last ten years or so we have been
learning how to cope with them better.
It took too long, but the war in Bosnia was brought to an end. Kosovo is now being rebuilt; East Timor is independent;
the horror in Sierra Leone was stopped; Ethiopia and Eritrea stopped their war, too.
Looking ahead, we can see that we are within striking distance of reuniting Cyprus, ending the long civil war in Sudan,
and pacifying the Democratic Republic of the Congo – the battleground of what some have called Africa's first world war.
Nations working together can make a difference. Nations upholding the rule of law can advance the cause of a fairer
world.
So that is the basis of my hope as we move into 2003.
I remain convinced that peace is possible – in Iraq, in Korea, and even between Israel and Palestine – if states work
together on all these problems, with patience and firmness.
And I am convinced that terror can be defeated, too – if the 191 Member States of the United Nations pull together to
deny terrorists refuge and cut off their funding.
Before taking your questions, let me mention two other issues that are of particular concern to me at the moment.
I already referred to the threat of famine in Africa. As you know, it is particularly acute in southern Africa. At the
heart of the problem is the crisis in Zimbabwe – a country which used to be the region's bread-basket, but is now
wracked by hunger and HIV/AIDS. This tragic situation is caused partly by the forces of nature, and partly by
mismanagement. We could debate endlessly which of them made the greater contribution. But the challenge now is for all
Zimbabweans to work together and with each other, and with the international community, to find solutions before it is
too late.
The second is Venezuela. For the past 20 years, Latin America has been embracing democracy and turning its back on
autocratic forms of government. I hope those who seek to bring about change in Venezuela will respect this achievement,
and stick to democratic, constitutional means, in keeping with the principles of human rights and justice.
Let me conclude by saying that we should not see this as an age of threats, but as one of many new opportunities. Ours
is the first generation that can defeat poverty – if we put our minds to it, and if we hold our leaders to the pledges
they made here at the Millennium Summit.
Yes, the world is a messy place. But the instruments are there to deal with these problems, and foremost amongst them is
the United Nations itself.
Thank you very much. I will now take your questions.
Q: On behalf of the United Nations Correspondents Association, let me wish you and your wife, Nane, a happy and peaceful
2003. Thank you for coming to visit us so early this year. I hope that is in fulfilment of some New Year's resolution
that you have made to spend more time with us, your in-house press corps. What can we do to ensure that you stick to
this new habit?
Wearing my Expresso hat, I would like to ask you if you think that the Security Council has got its priorities out of
order. As you noted yourself – well, perhaps you did not note it, but this house is at this moment obsessed with the
issue of Iraq, which at present seems in no position to threaten anyone with weapons of mass destruction. Nevertheless,
the drive to war continues. As you yourself mentioned, there are dangerous new developments in the Korean Peninsula. In
the Middle East, the bloodbath of the Israeli occupation and Palestinian suicide bombers continues. And yet, we see that
we are focusing on Iraq the whole time. Has the Security Council got its priorities wrong?
SG: Let me say that, from my own remarks, it is obvious that the world is facing many challenges. The Security Council,
by the nature of its remit, is focused on peace and security issues. But the other parts of the United Nations and the
international community should be focusing on some of the other issues that I raised. This is an issue not for the
United Nations alone, but for the entire international community. I think the Council is seized with Iraq because it has
been on its agenda for quite a while. Now, of course, the inspectors are back in and have resumed their work. Mr. Blix
will give an update on 27 January.
But I am not sure that it is only the Council that is responsible for this emphasis and focus on the Iraq issue. I am
afraid that you ladies and gentlemen also have something to do with it, because I have given you a whole list of issues
that are – or should be – very high on the international agenda. Why is it that we focus on only one?
Q: Let me ask you about a topic that you do not really hear about often with regard to Iraq. In the past, you have said
that Iraq must face its responsibilities. You have also said you have been opposed to the war and any type of military
offensive. Right now, with regard to the state of play, what is your opinion? Should there be a military attack on Iraq
– if a country such as the United States goes ahead – especially if no weapons of mass destruction are found?
SG: I do not think, from where I stand, that we are at that stage yet. The inspectors have a responsibility in Iraq. The
Council has asked them to pursue the disarmament programme and report back, and then the Council will make a
determination – if Iraq has performed or not. If there is a breach, the Council will then have to take the decision. I
think the inspectors are just getting up to full speed. They are now quite operational and able to fly around and get
their work done. I think we should wait for the update that they will give to the Council on the twenty-seventh, and
hear what further instructions the Council gives them. But the inspectors are carrying on with their work, and I think
the resolution is very clear that it is when the inspectors report back, either at the critical stages in their work or
if there are unforeseen developments that they bring back to the Council that makes the Council determine that there has
been a breach, and therefore there should be serious consequences. I do not think we are there yet. So I really do not
want to talk about war. Nor is the Council talking about war.
Q: Although you say that you would prefer that there not be a war, in the event that there is a war, what sort of
humanitarian consequences do you see the Iraqi people facing, and is the United Nations prepared to respond?
SG: We have been doing some contingency planning on that and we are extremely worried about the humanitarian fallout and
consequences of any such military action. Obviously we do not want to be caught unprepared. So we have gone ahead and
made contingency plans, and we are in touch with Governments that can provide some financial assistance for us to move
our preparedness to the next level. But we are worried. The consequences for the population and the refugees who may
have to leave can be quite substantial and negative.
Q: There has been some debate about what cooperation actually entails in terms of the Iraqi Government's relationship
with the United Nations weapons inspectors. Are you of the mind that the Iraqis are fully cooperating, as set out in
resolution 1441 (2002)? Or is there a need for what is now being termed “proactive” cooperation?
SG: I think the inspectors who are working with the Iraqis have been very clear, and in their own analysis of the Iraqi
declaration they have determined that there are major gaps which need to be filled. They have indicated that they would
prefer - and they would expect - Iraq to be proactive in its cooperation. And I suspect that that would be one of the
main topics of discussion when Mr. ElBaradei and Mr. Blix go to Iraq next week. They will press for the gaps to be
filled in; they will press for Iraq to be more proactive in its cooperation; and they will do whatever needs to be done
for them to fulfil their mandate. So it is not perfect. It is better than it used to be, but I think the inspectors are
pressing for the gaps to be filled in.
Q: Mr. Hans Blix gave an interview yesterday to the BBC in which he said that he did not know how long the American
Government was willing to wait for them to complete their searches. He also said that it could be that one day it will
say, “Move aside, boys; we're coming in”. Can you explain to us what the procedure is for pulling the inspectors out?
Can he take instructions from a Member State, or does he have to have clear instructions from the Security Council to
pull inspectors out of Iraq? There was a controversial decision made by Mr. Butler in the past. Will there be a repeat
of that in the future?
My second question is about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The bloodshed is continuous; is it not time for the United
Nations to take the bull by horns - a personal initiative, a one-on-one meeting, you going to the area? It seems that
the conference in London is going to go nowhere. Is it not time, maybe, that you should take the lead, Sir, in stopping
this bloodshed?
SG: Let me start with your first question. I think that Security Council resolution 1441 (2002) is quite clear that the
Council will have to meet based on reports from the inspectors to determine what action the Council should take. I would
expect that if the inspectors find anything, they will report to the Council and the Council will take a decision. And
depending on that decision we will all see where we go from there.
On your second question, I think it is a tragedy that the bloodshed is continuing. That is why the Quartet has been very
active in trying to work out a road map – a road map that will operationalize the objective of two States, Israel and
Palestine, living side by side, that everybody has embraced. But you can get there only if you take concrete steps and
define what is demanded of each of the parties. That road map is ready, and I hope we will be able to put it on the
table and to the parties, formally, as soon as possible – perhaps in the next month or so – and press ahead with the
peace effort.
Q: I wonder if you regard North Korea's withdrawal from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as a
grave threat to international peace and security and whether or not you favour bringing that issue to the Security
Council.
SG: It is grave, and I have issued a statement. North Korea is the first country ever to withdraw from the Treaty, and I
hope that it will come back into compliance. The International Atomic Energy Agency Board has met to discuss it, and
they have given it a bit more time to come into compliance before they decide what the next step should be, including
bringing it to the Council. But they are not going to bring it to the Council immediately. They have given it time to
come into compliance. As most of you know, I myself have sent an envoy to discuss the humanitarian situation in North
Korea, given the new situation and the possible negative impact on the population, because we are going to find it
difficult to raise the money that we need and the supplies that we need to continue our humanitarian programmes in North
Korea. Mr. Maurice Strong is in North Korea today; he will be there for a few days having discussions with the leaders.
He will focus mainly on the humanitarian issues, but of course he is also available and prepared to listen to any other
issues they may want to discuss with him.
Q: Do you not think that the crises in Iraq and North Korea have undermined any peace initiative regarding Palestine?
SG: I would not say that it has undermined any peace initiative in Palestine or with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian
crisis. If anything, I would say that it underscores the urgency of doing something about the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
I think it is even more important today than ever that the international community energetically tackle the issue of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And that is what I hope the Quartet will do in the coming months.
Q: Mr. Secretary-General, you raised two new issues at the end of your opening remarks - one involving Zimbabwe, and one
involving Venezuela. There has been some talk of an initiative that would lead to the retirement of President Mugabe. I
was wondering whether you or the United Nations was involved at all with either side in trying to promote some kind of a
new initiative in Zimbabwe.
Secondly, Mr. Chavez is going to be here at the United Nations tomorrow. I was wondering what your message to him is
going to be.
SG: On the first question, I have also read the reports in the press. I and the United Nations have not been directly
involved in the Zimbabwean issue, and I do not know whether the report is correct or not. But we have not been involved.
On Venezuela: yes, I will be seeing President Hugo Chavez here on Thursday, when he comes for the handover of the G-77
chairmanship. I would hope to be able to discuss with him the developments in Venezuela and how one can intensify the
mediation efforts to calm the situation and return it to normalcy. I have had the chance of speaking to him several
times on the phone, and he knows that I believe one should use constitutional and democratic means to resolve this
issue. That is my message - not only to him, but also to the opposition.
Q: Today in Nicosia, 70,000 Turkish Cypriots demonstrated in the Turkish sector in favour of your peace plan and against
calling for the resignation of their leader, Rauf Denktash. I wonder, Sir - and I want your comment - first, given the
similarities, if we are witnessing there a collapse of a Berlin Wall in Cyprus; and secondly, if a solution is possible
with Rauf Denktash as a leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.
SG: First of all, I am pleased that the people are out in the streets promoting peace, demanding peace and demanding
unification. I think this is something that we have worked on very hard, and many people in the region had hoped for it.
I think we are going to press ahead with the negotiations. The deadline of 28 February is a firm one. Obviously, it is
up to the people to decide who their leader is and up to the leader to decide whether they persist or resign. But
whether a leader resigns or stays on, I think the people are speaking, and it is very difficult not to listen to the
people when they come out in those numbers. So I will urge the leaders to listen to the voices of the ordinary people
about their desire for peace. I will leave the future political plans up to the leader to decide.
Q: You mentioned that the issue of Iraq is not an issue that relates only to the Security Council, but the whole world
is interested in it. Are you planning, or have you thought about, using your moral authority in a last salvation
initiative to help the region - at least concerning this issue - and to send some kind of political adviser to underline
the urgency of the situation to the Iraqis?
SG: I have been in touch with quite a lot of the leaders in the region about the region. The leaders in the region
remain engaged in the process of convincing President Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi leadership to disarm and to cooperate
fully with the inspectors. If they do disarm and comply with the demands of the Security Council, the region may not
have to go through another military confrontation. This is a message that I have sent to them, and I keep repeating it.
I hope the [Iraqi] leadership is listening. All the leaders of the countries in the region, including Turkey, are
sending the same message to Iraq. I hope they will heed the request.
Q (interpretation from French): Mr. Secretary-General, if you do not mind, I would like to speak French. What is your
opinion on the debate as to whether or not the United States should be requesting a second resolution in the Security
Council before declaring war against Iraq, if that comes to pass? Do you think that a second resolution should be
requested?
SG (interpretation from French): I think that it has been envisaged in Security Council resolution 1441 (2002) that the
Council will take the matter up a second time to discuss the question of Iraq if the inspectors inform the Council
either that Iraq is not cooperating or that they have found weapons. If that is the case, I think the Council is obliged
to debate the matter and take the necessary decision.
Q (interpretation from French): In your view, do you believe there is going to be a second Security Council meeting?
That is, is there going to be a second resolution?
SG (interpretation from French): I think normally there can be a second resolution when the Council discusses these
things, especially on such an urgent matter. They are supposed to take a decision.
Q: Mr. Secretary-General, your name has become attached to the idea of humanitarian intervention - that the world cannot
stand by and watch a genocide occur within borders. Some have argued that the new United States concept of pre-emptive
action is simply an expansion of the "Kofi doctrine" of humanitarian intervention. Do you believe there is a case for
pre-emptive military action, especially in the case of incipient terrorism?
SG: That is an interesting question. But I would want to distinguish the two. I think the basis on which I argued for
intervention, which eventually also led to the establishment of a commission by the Canadian Government, which issued a
wonderful report that I would recommend to all of you: “The Responsibility to Protect”. It argues that sovereignty is
not just privilege; it also carries responsibilities. Governments do have responsibilities to protect their citizens. If
they fail to do so, in a situation where their human rights are systematically and grossly being violated, the
international community may have to step in, because a Government has failed to protect the people. We should not allow
them to use their sovereignty as a shield behind which to commit these gross violations.
If I understand the Washington doctrine properly, that is focused on terrorists or groups or countries that may be
planning attacks against them. Therefore the pre?emptive action is, if you wish, an extended doctrine of self?defence.
But it is a difficult issue to deal with, because one can talk of war of prevention, where you see a force arrayed
against you, with a visible threat, ready to attack, and you make a pre-emptive strike to stop that attack. There are
instances of this in history. Beyond that, where the threat is not imminent and the evidence is not obvious, it becomes
a very murky area to deal with. So one will have to be very careful when moving into these areas of pre-emptive strike.
Of course, the evidence is usually only with the one who is making the strike. Often, others may claim that it is not
verifiable or that the evidence is not convincing.
So, except for those situations where the evidence is clear, where there is imminent threat, where it is obvious and so
forth, it can lead to lots of confusion and set precedents that others can use.
Q: Have you received any information about China's intention to join the Quartet? What do you expect from China so it
can play a better role in the United Nations? I understand you just met with China's Ambassador to the United Nations
yesterday.
My second question is, do you worry about whether it will be possible to implement the Quartet's road map in reality,
since we still have lots of violence in the Middle East?
SG: China has become quite active in the search for a settlement in the Middle East, and I believe they have appointed,
or intend to appoint, an envoy to oversee developments in that situation. I am not aware that they have made a formal
request to join the Quartet, but I am sure they will work very closely with the Quartet. I do not think that should be a
problem.
Q: One more try on Iraq: You are in touch with Secretary of State Powell; you are in touch with Iraqi officials. Is
there any message on the looming crisis that you are giving them that you can share with us?
SG: Now, I think we are all aware in the work going on in the Council. We are all aware – particularly those of you in
this room – of Council resolution 1441 (2002) and the legislative climate surrounding the passage of that resolution. We
will have to assume, and I will have to assume, that the members of the Council acted in good faith; that the issue is
disarmament and that they will do whatever it takes to disarm; and that if the disarmament were to succeed and we were
to agree that Iraq has been stripped of its weapons of mass destruction, then that should be the end of the story. If,
on the other hand, it were to come out that Iraq continues to defy, and that disarmament has not happened, as I have
said, the Council will have to face up to its responsibilities and take the necessary action. But, of course, this is
the understanding and the spirit of the resolution, which I hope we will all respect.
Q: Back on to the Israel-Palestine issue: This week, Tony Blair has called a conference in London, the aim of which is
to get the Palestinian Authority to reform itself. And although the Israeli Government says the Palestinian Authority
must reform before it talks, it refused their representatives leave to go to London for the talks. First of all, could
you comment upon the Israeli Government's decision in this case, and secondly could you give some prognosis of whether
this was a genuine attempt to get the Middle East peace process moving or whether it was just a cover for Washington's
seeming lack of attention to the problem?
SG: I think the Israeli decision was unfortunate. I believe the Palestinian delegates should have been allowed to attend
the conference to hear from others what is expected of them and to be given support for the reform of the Palestinian
Authority, which the international community has been working with them for a while to assure. So I personally wish they
had been allowed to go. I also believe that each time you bring the parties together to discuss a possible solution,
including reform, it is a positive step. It is good that they were brought together in London. My own Representative,
Terje Roed-Larsen, is there along with the others. As someone who pushes for dialogue as a way of resolving these
conflicts, I think any step that encourages dialogue and discussions is something that we should pursue. So I am
grateful to the British for bringing everybody together.
Q: If I could ask about North Korea for a second, I wonder, given the latest meetings over the weekend and other
information, what you are hearing relative to this peninsula crisis. Is it getting better? Is it getting worse? Beyond
that, could you give your own diplomatic prescription for the crisis in the Korean peninsula?
SG: I think there are very intensive efforts in capitals and between capitals to try and resolve this issue peacefully
and diplomatically, and I think that is the right way to go. These activities include Washington, Moscow, Beijing, Seoul
and Tokyo, and I think they are also cooperating amongst themselves. I will not be surprised if we are able to find a
way out. I think the signals coming from both the United States and Korea give me hope and encouragement that it will be
possible, with determined effort, to find a diplomatic solution.
Q: Why do you say that?
SG: I think, first of all, the United States has indicated that they are prepared to talk. The North Koreans seem to be
indicating that they are pulling back on their claim that they do have weapons of mass destruction. I think what we are
also hoping to do with the efforts of the atomic Agency (IAEA) is that we will be able to get the inspectors back in,
and I am also hoping that eventually they will rescind their decision to pull out of the NPT.
Q: First, just a quick follow-up on the questions regarding the Israeli positions. Do you consider what they did
vis-à-vis Mr. Blair a slap in the face to British diplomacy? And do you personally feel that the Israelis ignoring your
repeated and continued appeals to stop the demolition of homes and to stop using disproportionate force is a slap in the
face to you?
That was just a follow-up; my question, actually, is about Iraq. Have you been at all involved in the alleged talk of
trying to convince President Saddam Hussein to step down? Do you support such a call? And also, have you or any branch
in the United Nations been involved in what we are hearing about a role for the United Nations in post-Saddam Iraq?
SG: On your first question, I really cannot speak for how Prime Minister Blair feels, but, talking for myself - I
sometimes get these kinds of questions - my answer has always been that it is always better to make an attempt to do the
right thing, to try to correct a situation and fail, than to do nothing. So the question of a “slap in the face” when
people do not listen or do not do what is right does not bother me at all – and I do not consider it as a slap in the
face. I will continue pressing for what I think is right.
On the question of President Saddam Hussein, I have not been involved in any discussions or talks about him leaving Iraq
and going into exile. As far as planning by the United Nations is concerned, we are very active on the humanitarian
front. Obviously, we live in the real world, and we have had lots of experience handling post-conflict situations, or
what some call nation-building: from Kosovo to Afghanistan to Bosnia. We have had quite a lot of experience, and have
some ideas about putting together post-conflict structures. So, obviously we are doing some thinking, without assuming
anything. But it will be prudent for us to look ahead.
Q: Are you talking about something like Mr. Brahimi in Afghanistan?
SG: Not at all; I have not got that far at all. That would be premature.
Q: Do you believe it would be a mistake for the United States to take the holes and gaps in the 7 December declaration
by Iraq and add to that this idea of a lack of proactive cooperation – in other words, if the inspectors do not find
anything, that is a sign that Iraq does not cooperate – and put those two things together and use that as an excuse for
going to war without the authorization of the Security Council?
SG: I really cannot speak for Washington, and I do not know how these decisions would be made. But I think, if I can
judge from the Council discussion last week, that the Council members are not looking to go in that direction at this
stage.
Q: If there is an upcoming discussion in the Security Council about a material breach, should it involve a second
resolution – although my country probably will not be happy to vote at all. And a little personal question: recalling
your own descriptions of feelings of the Secretary-General, you once said, “I am not necessarily an optimist, but I am
always hopeful”. So, what is your mood regarding Iraq? Is it just hopefulness or is it optimism?
SG: I think I answered the first question when our colleague posed his question in French, that obviously the resolution
requires that the issue go back to the Council for the Council to debate. This is a crucial and important issue, and I
would expect that when the Council tackles this issue, which is at the centre of the world's and the public's attention,
that they would want to take a decision on it and decide what the serious consequences should be. They themselves have
indicated that if there is a material breach there will be serious consequences. I hope they would be able to follow
through.
On your other question, let me say that I am both optimistic and hopeful that if we handle the situation right, and the
pressure on the Iraqi leadership is maintained and the inspectors continue to work as aggressively as they are doing, we
may be able to disarm Iraq peacefully, without need to resort to war.
Q: I was interested in your answer about a clear case for when pre-emption might be necessary - forces arraigned against
you, a visible threat ready to attack. Given the build-up of US forces in the Gulf, I was wondering if that is actually
helpful towards reaching a diplomatic, peaceful solution in Iraq.
If I could just follow up a bit on the possible role for the United Nations - assuming, of course, that all peaceful
means will be pursued, what sorts of scenarios are you looking at in terms of a UN role in a post-conflict Iraq?
SG: On your first question – whether the presence of US troops is helpful for the solution – I think I would want to
make a distinction between pressure and the threat of use of force and the actual use of force; when do you cross that
threshold. I think there is no doubt in anyone's mind that the pressure has been effective, that it has worked. Without
that pressure I don't think the inspectors would be back in Iraq today. It took us four years to try to get them in
there. Four days after President Bush spoke at the UN and challenged the world and Iraq, Iraq accepted to get them in.
So there is not doubt that the pressure has had an effect.
On your other question, regarding what scenarios the UN is looking at when we look at post-conflict Iraq, at this stage
we focus mainly on the humanitarian aspects. We are doing some preliminary thinking on the political and administrative
areas. We have no definite thoughts, and I would prefer not to be drawn into speculation at this stage.
Q: On Korea – Mr. Maurice Strong is in Korea. You mentioned that he would be willing to listen to other issues. Has he
been sent with any instruction or encouragement to raise other issues? Will you see yourself becoming, through him, more
of a liaison on the wider issues of monitoring? Especially given that North Korea has disparaged the IAEA as a sort of
tool of the US.
SG: I think we are still at an early stage of this crisis. There have been a lot of messages and jockeying for
positions, and statements are being made about the Atomic Agency or the others. But I think – Maurice is a very
experienced man; he has carried lots of responsibilities, from the private sector to running major environmental
conferences, running major energy companies, and all that. So he is someone who has a broad experience. He is also quite
well known in the region, and they may want to discuss other things with him. I did not discourage him from discussing
other things if they come up. Of course, I have my own good offices, which is always available. So we will see what Mr.
Strong brings back. But is free to discuss any other issue.
Q: (interpretation from French): On the Democratic Republic of the Congo - you have a Special Envoy in the region of
Ituri, where there are some serious human rights violations. Could you confirm them, and could you also confirm the
cases of forced cannibalism.
SG (interpretation from French): I cannot confirm the claim about cannibalism. I have seen the charges myself in the
papers, but in point of fact, there is a war in the east of the country, and we are doing everything we can in order to
calm the situation. My envoys and the human rights experts have confirmed that there have indeed been violations, and we
are in the midst of drafting a report to determine what to do.
Q: I wanted to get your reaction to an announcement today by British Foreign Secretary Straw that he reserves the right
to initiate an attack on Iraq without there being another UN resolution authorizing it. Also, last week the European
Union President announced that they wanted to dispatch a peace team to the Arab States to also tackle the problem of
Iraq. Your reaction to those things?
SG: I think there are lots of efforts around the world, as I said, by Arab leaders themselves and some European leaders,
trying to get the message to the Iraqi authorities to honour the obligations to the Council as a way of avoiding war. I
hope they will listen to them, as I said earlier.
On the statement by the British Foreign Secretary, obviously it may be his Government's policy that he is stating. But I
think the Council discussions and the Council resolutions, which guide me, make it quite clear that they will have to go
to the Council for further discussions, and for the Council – which has threatened serious consequences – I hope, to
also determine what those consequences would be. That would be my reading of the resolution.
Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.