World Reaction to Powell Address

Members of the UN Security Council have been reacting to the presentation by Secretary of State Colin Powell outlining the US case against Iraq:

"[UN weapons inspectors] are not in a position to draw conclusions and they have suggested continuing the inspections.
"We should respect their views [...] and support the continuation of their work."

Tang Jiaxuan, Chinese Foreign Minister

France: 'The use of force can only be a final resort'
"If (Iraqi) non-cooperation continues, this council must meet its responsibilities...
"Saddam must be left in no doubt as to the serious consequences which he now faces."

Jack Straw, UK Foreign Secretary

"This information has to be immediately handed over for processing by the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] through on-site verification during the inspections in Iraq.
"Experts in our countries must immediately get down to analysing and drawing the appropriate conclusions."

Igor Ivanov, Russian Foreign Minister

"I listened with great attention to the evidence [Mr Powell] provided. It contains information, clues and questions that deserve deeper analysis...
"For now we must reinforce the inspection regime. The use of force can only be a final resort."

Dominique de Villepin, French Foreign Minister

"We require more active cooperation from Iraq. The inspectors' report should be the basis of judgement.

"The international community is justified in seeking to bring about the earliest possible compliance from Iraq."

Khurshid M. Kasuri, Pakistani Foreign Minister

"Chile is in favour of continuing the inspections, but Iraq must be put under pressure to cooperate with the inspectors."

Soledad Alvear Valenzuela, Chilean Foreign Minister

"Co-operation [with the inspectors] is an obligation for Iraq.
"The overall picture reinforces the need for continuing inspections.

"My delegation thinks that we should persevere on the road to a peaceful solution to the crisis in Iraq. War would demonstrate failure of our system."

Georges Robolo Chikoti, Angolan Foreign Minister

"Our council, we believe, can still make a lot of effort to arrive at a peaceful solution. We want a peaceful solution to save the lives of thousands of innocent Iraqis.
"We ask: are the obstacles [to inspections] insurmountable, and do they truly deserve a destructive war?

"Iraq does not constitute a threat to its neighbours. No to war, yes to a peaceful resolution based on [resolution] 1441."

Mikhail Wehbe, Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic

"The dangers of a military action and its consequences are plant to see.
"We must continue to seek a peaceful solution to the crisis. We need to enhance the instruments of inspections and control.

"We ought to support all endeavours of states in the region currently engaging in diplomatic efforts."

Joschka Fischer, German Foreign Minister