feb7

Thoroughgoing U.N. inspections are essential to a solution -- Akahata editorial, February 7

The United Nations Security Council held a foreign ministerial meeting to discuss the Iraq question.

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell used satellite photos and wiretapped records to argue that Iraq still maintains weapons of mass destruction in violation of the related U.N. resolutions.

However, Powell stopped short of presenting any evidence of Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction.

In contrast, France, Russia, and China, which are permanent members of the UNSC, along with Germany, which currently chairs the Security Council, insisted on the need to solve the problem by continuing with ongoing inspections.

Suspicions can only be dealt with by thoroughgoing inspections

In an effort to deal with the allegations that Iraq may possess and develop weapons of mass destruction, U.N. weapons inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the U.N. Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) are carrying out their mission in Iraq based on UNSC Resolution 1441.

The U.N. inspection team has reported to the UNSC that inspectors have found no evidence that Iraq had resumed the nuclear program but pointed out that Iraq is not cooperating with inspectors fully.

Iraq is under an obligation to cooperate with the inspectors unconditionally in compliance with Resolution 1441.

The inspectors' confirmation that the inspections are effective make it clear that they should continue their work.

The IAEA director general in the published statement said that the inspectors need "a few months" to continue their work, describing this as "a valuable investment in peace." He also said that this will help avert a war.

Thoroughgoing inspections are necessary with Iraq cooperating, simply because suspicions persist about Iraq.

The suspicions which U.S. Secretary of State Powell cited can only be dealt with by the inspections.

If the United States alleges that Iraq has destroyed evidence, it is essential to conduct a thoroughgoing investigation to deal with the allegation.

The problem is that Powell has played up the suspicions about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, apparently with the aim of paving the way for the U.S. use of force against Iraq.

Powell turned his back on continued inspections, saying, "The issue before us is not how much time we are willing to give the inspectors. . . But how much longer are we willing to put up with Iraq's non-compliance."

He then said, "Iraq has put itself... closer to the day when it will face serious consequences. . ."

Powell based his speech on U.S. President George W. Bush's State of the Union address, in which Bush declared that the United States will unilaterally use military force against Iraq saying that the United States "will lead a coalition to disarm him" (Saddam Hussein).

Bush admitted that the United States will start a war without being influenced by what the international community needs. He said, "... the course of this nation (the United States) does not depend on the decisions of others."

If such a reckless action is condoned, the world peace order will be completely destroyed.

The Bush administration is ignoring the U.N. Charter and resolutions and obstructing the efforts of the international community for a solution to the problem by inspections.

That is why opposition to the U.S. attack on Iraq is growing all over the world. The overwhelming majority of the international community demands a peaceful resolution.

It is important to take time to continue and even strengthen the necessary inspections, and the need now is for the international community to carry on with efforts within the U.N. framework to achieve a peaceful solution.

What will Koizumi Cabinet do?

Japan should state clearly that it opposes the U.S. plan to unilaterally use armed force without regard for the United Nations and that it refuses to cooperate with such plans.

But Foreign Minister Kawaguchi Yoriko praised the Powell speech and mentioned nothing about the need for continued inspections and a peaceful solution of the problem.

Has the government forgotten that it represents a country with a war-renouncing constitution?

Our cause of realizing a peaceful world needs continued U.N. inspections and the prevention of a U.S. war on Iraq. (end)