Iraq Slashes US Draft as 'Plans for Invasion and Occupation'

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, October 17, 2002

Iraq Slashes US Draft as 'Plans for Invasion and Occupation'

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

By introducing a tougher draft on Iraq, the United States was unabashedly declaring its plans for a military invasion and occupation of Iraq, and even for "changing the map of the region by force and putting their hands on the sources of energy therein," Iraq's Ambassador Mohammed Al-Douri told an open Security Council debate Wednesday.

Speaking at the two-day council debate, Al-Douri said that by pushing for a tougher draft after Iraq had agreed to accept UN inspectors unconditionally, the US wanted a "blank cheque" from the council to occupy Iraq as part of its plan to subject the entire world to "American hegemony."

He went on to declare that his country had implemented all disarmament requirements contained in the council's resolutions. "Iraq's decision to readmit inspectors would prove that the country no longer owns weapons of mass destruction, and would foster a comprehensive solution, including an end to the sanctions which had caused such suffering for the Iraqi people," he said.

He recalled the agreement between Iraq and chief UN inspectors in Vienna allowing early resumption of inspection on Oct. 19, "but the US had tried to hamper the agreement, increasing its threats," he said.

The US was calling for the imposition on Iraq of "unfair and impossible" conditions that were "an insult to the international community, the UN and international law," he said.

"This position must be rejected," he stressed, adding that there was "absolutely no need" for a new council resolution on the matter.

The council began an open debate on Iraq Wednesday, all 15 council members and some 50 other countries were scheduled to take part.

Called at the request of the Nonaligned Movement, the two-day marathon sessions was designed to allow any of the world body's 191 member states to speak on Iraq before it moved to vote on a tougher US draft seeking authorization of use of military powers.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Bush Signs Resolution Authorizing Use of Force Against Iraq

Saddam Wins 100 Percent Votes in Referendum

>> Full Coverage

Fewer Slogans, More Practical, Reflect Social Changes in China ( 42 Messages)

China Opposes US Congress Committee's Interference in China's Internal Affairs ( 48 Messages)

HKSAR Expected to Have World-class University in Five Years ( 2 Messages)

China's Automaker Invests in GM-Daewoo Joint Venture ( 5 Messages)

Russian President Signs New Citizenship Law ( 3 Messages)

At least 182 Dead in Indonesian Island Blast: President ( 12 Messages)