White House says coalition, not U.N., responsible for inspections
Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/23/2003

As the United Nations Security Council met April 22 to discuss the role of U.N. weapons inspectors in post-Saddam Hussein Iraq, the White House said the U.S.-led coalition has taken responsibility for locating Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

Asked at the April 22 White House daily briefing about a future role in Iraq for U.N. weapons inspectors, led by chief inspector Hans Blix, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said "the president is looking forward, not backward."

White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said "We'll work with Security Council members, the United Nations, and our friends and allies on the issue of the post-Saddam Iraq and how best to achieve our mutual goals. But make no mistake about it; the United States and the coalition have taken on the responsibility for dismantling Iraq's WMD."

Fleischer said "we have a coalition that is working on the ground to dismantle Iraq's WMD programs, and we think that's going to be effective. We think it will get the job done, and the bottom line is the president wants to focus things on the most effective [way] to get the job done."

Asked whether it might not be helpful to have more people carrying out inspections, Fleischer said "We have high confidence in the ability of the people who are there now to do the job."

Told by a reporter that Blix had said in an interview that U.S. claims regarding Iraqi WMDs were based on "shaky evidence" Fleischer said it would be "unfortunate" if Blix were to criticize the United States now. "The United States is working with Iraqis to build a new country for them, and I think that would just be unfortunate if his position today is to criticize the United States. We know they (weapons) exist, and we're confident that they will be found," the press secretary said.

"I think the process (of disarmament) will be a transparent one," Fleischer said. Worth noting that the Blix called for the return of UN inspectors and that the inspectors "would need to remain independent of all individual governments and authorities to retain international credibility in their work for the Council."

Previous Stories:
  US about the hunt for Iraqi weapons of mass destruction   (4/22/2003)
  Rumsfeld says U.S. not seeking permanent military bases in Iraq   (4/22/2003)
  Shiite leaders stress peaceful resistance, Garner in Baghdad; preparation for a five- year rule   (4/22/2003)

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