UK Does not Rule Out Two-step Process on Iraqi Crisis

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, October 08, 2002

UK Does not Rule Out Two-step Process on Iraqi Crisis

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Monday in Paris that Britain does not rule out the possibility ofa two-step process to solve the Iraqi crisis.

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British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Monday in Paris that Britain does not rule out the possibility ofa two-step process to solve the Iraqi crisis.

"We have always said that we would prefer one resolution, but we have never ruled out two resolutions and we don't," Straw told a press conference following a meeting with his French counterpart Dominique de Villepin.

However, he added that the best pressure on Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is the threat of use of force though Britain wishes to see a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the Iraqi problem.

"An efficient diplomacy must be supported by the threat of force," he said.

London backs Washington's demand for a single resolution that urges the return of UN inspectors and an automatic use of force incase Baghdad fails to comply with the UN requirements.

Paris suggests a two-step process with a first resolution on the return of inspectors without war ultimatum, and if Baghdad goes in breach of the first resolution, a second one on military action.

On his part, de Villepin told the press conference that he believes it is possible to reach consensus "very rapidly" on the UN resolution on Iraq, particularly on the problem of arms inspection of Saddam's presidential palaces.

A memorandum between the UN and Iraq drafted last week denied access for inspectors to Iraqi presidential palaces. Britain and the United States demanded an access "without restriction" to all sites in Iraq suspected of hiding arms of massive destruction.

"We can reach an accord, a common position," said de Villepin on this issue, adding that France considers it important to deliver a message that represents the international community.

Earlier on Monday, de Villepin told French radio RTL that he had spoken to U.S. State of Secretary Colin Powell on Sunday before the meeting with Straw on Monday.

"We are all convinced that we have to move quickly. We think we can reach a conclusion rapidly," he said.

"We must put pressure on Iraq. The inspectors must return and be able to do their job efficiently," he added, implying that France would agree to a tougher inspection regime.

France has maintained that it would not join military action on Iraq unless it is mandated by the United Nations.

The British foreign secretary arrived here on Monday ahead of a four-day Middle East tour that will take him to Egypt, Iran, Jordan and Kuwait.

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