|
'Regime change would disarm Iraq'
25/09/2002 12:00 - (SA)
London - US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Wednesday that "regime change" in Baghdad was the best way to ensure that Iraq disarmed.
In comments which underlined splits between London and Washington over tackling Iraq, Powell refused to rule out the possibility that the US may still push for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to be removed from power, even if he complies with United Nations resolutions on weapons inspections.
"The US continues to believe that the best way to disarm Iraq is through a regime change," Powell said in an interview with the BBC.
Powell's comments contrast with the stance taken by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his ministers, who have stuck resolutely to saying that disarmament is their main aim in Iraq.
On the issue of "regime change", the British government says only that it could be a desirable consequence of disarming Iraq, and is not a primary objective.
"The objective which we seek is the disarmament of the Saddam Hussein regime," British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said on Wednesday. "It may be that a consequence of that process will be regime change.
"It may be that a means to achieve that process is regime change, but in terms of the objective it is disarmament," he told BBC radio.
Powell urged the international community to keep up the pressure on Saddam via the United Nations.
To maintain pressure
"Pressure has to be maintained on Iraq until the UN is satisfied that he has got rid of these weapons or allowed inspectors in to make sure of that - that's the only way to do it - and then we'll see whether or not that's adequate or whether more action is required."
But asked whether Saddam could remain in power if he did comply with UN demands, Powell refused to commit himself.
"We'll have to wait and see. We'll have to see how he responds to the pressure he's under from the international community," he said.
Both Britain and the United States have stepped up pressure on the Security Council to adopt a tough new resolution before any resumption of United Nations arms inspections in Iraq.
British officials said earlier this week they expected a draft UN Security Council resolution on Iraq would be tabled "within days".
But a senior US official said in Washington on Tuesday that it might take a week or more before key members of the Security Council settle on wording of a new resolution.
|
