Documents and Speeches on the Crisis over Iraq

This collection is intended to be a useful archive of important primary materials. The text of the documents has not been amended, but usually some copy-editing of the lay-out has been done.
In any use of these materials, please acknowledge the source as being www.staff.city.ac.uk/p.willetts/IRAQ/INDEX.HTM

 
Joint Statement by China, France and Russia
Interpreting UN Security Council Resolution 1441 (2002)

Initially downloaded from www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/news/1102/09interpretation.html on 11 November 2002. On this website the statement was attributed to the Associated Press. Later, the text below, from "Resolution 1441 ..." onwards was corrected to match the version posted on the website of the French Embassy in the USA, at www.ambafrance-us.org/news/statmnts/2002.iraq111302.asp and dated 13 November 2002. The differences were minor typing errors.
 

The following is a joint statement issued by Russia, China and France outlining their interpretation of U.N. Security Council resolution 1441 on Iraq, which was adopted Friday [8 November 2002].

Resolution 1441 (2002) adopted today by the Security Council excludes any automaticity in the use of force. In this regard, we register with satisfaction the declarations of the representatives of the United States and the United Kingdom confirming this understanding in their explanations of vote, and assuring that the goal of the resolution is the full implementation of the existing Security Council resolutions on disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. All Security Council members share this goal.

In case of failure by Iraq to comply with its obligations, the provisions of paragraphs 4, 11 and 12 will apply. Such failure will be reported to the Security Council by the Executive Chairman of UNMOVIC or the Director General of the IAEA. It will be then for the Council to take a position on the basis of that report.

Therefore, this resolution fully respects the competences of the Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.

For the explanation of the vote of the United Kingdom, referred to above,     click here.

For the explanation of the vote of the United States, referred to above,     click here.

For a summary of the debate in the Security Council on 16-17 October 2002 at the request of the Non-Aligned Movement,     click here.

For a summary of the debate in the Security Council on 8 November 2002 upon the adoption of Resolution 1441 (2002),     click here.

Text of Security Council Resolution 1441 (2002),     click here.

For the text of the joint letter from the Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, Hans Blix, and the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed El-Baradei, to General Amir H. Al-Saadi, of the Iraqi Presidential Office, dated 8 October 2002, and annexed to Resolution 1441 (2002),     click here.

For the State Department press briefing on Resolution 1441 (2002),     click here.

For other documents on the Iraq crisis,     click here.