US to convince allies on Iraq
Iraq, International, 1/30/1998

France and Russia have reiterated their opposition to an air strike against Iraq, which the US has threatened to carry out because of disputes over UN inspection efforts.

France's statement, according to a Miami Herald report, was that "all options remain open" to resolve the Iraq situation, although use of diplomacy was stressed.

French Foreign Ministery spokesman Yves Doutriaux said on Thursday at the ministry's daily press conference that air strikes against Iraq will not solve the problem of Iraqi disarmament. He called upon the UN Security Council to maintain a collective spirit, adding that France is ready to vote for any decision which clearly allows the inspection operations in Iraq to continue.

Doutriaux admitted differences between the French and the Americans concerning explanations of UN resolution 687, noting that there is no consensus between UN member states on the issue of using force against Iraq. Doutriaux reiterated remarks made earlier in the week to ArabicNews.com that France does not think that using military force will have the intended effects.

Russian Foreign Minister Primakov was more definitive and expressed Russia's opposition to the use of military strikes against Iraq, insisting that "Diplomatic methods have to be applied."

In a statement that reflected that the US president is in high-level talks with many officials, and that the US has not obtained the support it is seeking to hit Iraq, White House Spokesman Mike McCurry said yesterday that "it is clear that the US is consulting on the use of diplomacy" and that the US president has not made any decisions.

US Secretary of State Albright said today that the UN Security council members "must remain united," a statement echoed today by Secretary of defense Cohen, adding that, "The more solid the Security Council is the less likely there is to be conflict."

It is clear that the US has failed to obtain the unanimous support it is seeking at the Security Council, and is offering the Security Council members an ultimatum: If you don't provide us with the unanimous support we are seeking by issuing a strong resolution (to give cover for the intended air strike), will take unilateral action and strike anyway.

The US by its single minded pursuit and force-feeding this issue to Security Council members and the international community, will discredit this institution called the United Nations and its Security Council, that the US help built. The US has shown little regard to the international community, and insists on speaking at the same time on its behalf.

The US president called yesterday on his western allies and Canada's Prime Minister Jean Chretien to enlist their support for the US intention to strike Iraq. The president did not call on any Arab states, who are most effected by any military action in terms of their security, economy, and stability.

Secretary Albright will be visiting with Arab leaders to hear what they have to say.

Previous Stories:
  Iraq: Crisis is made up   (1/29/1998)
  Iraq, the US and Richard Butler   (1/28/1998)
  Russia expects and opposes military strike against Iraq   (1/26/1998)

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