UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
Open Meeting -The Situation Between Iraq and Kuwait
Statement by H.E. Ms Penny Wensley AO Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
28 June 2001
Mr President
Australia remains committed to the full implementation of all UN Security Council resolutions on Iraq. We support the two principles now guiding the Security Council's approach to Iraq, as set out in resolution 1352, namely to improve the flow of goods and commodities to Iraq, while ensuring military-related items are not exported to Iraq.
Australia welcomes the constructive proposals put forward in the UK draft resolution, which is based on these two principles. These proposals, if implemented, would make a significant difference to the flow of civilian goods to Iraq. If the draft resolution were adopted, we would go from a situation where all imports to Iraq were prohibited unless specifically allowed, to one where all imports were automatically allowed unless they were on the goods review list. And even items on this list could be approved, depending on their end-use.
Australia is of the firm view that for any region, including our own, to achieve a positive security environment, it is imperative for the states of that region to meet their international obligations. This is particularly true in respect of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction obligations under Security Council resolutions. Like others, we have been concerned that for over two years now, it has not been possible to carry out the weapons verification and monitoring work in Iraq as mandated by the United Nations.
This has had a destabilising effect on the region as a whole. UNMOVIC has not been able to commence its inspection activities in Iraq in line with its UN mandate. This is most discouraging. Likewise, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is still unable to resume its verification and monitoring activities in Iraq as mandated by the Security Council. We call upon Iraq to cooperate fully with UNMOVIC and the IAEA to demonstrate its good faith and willingness to work with the international community. Full implementation of these activities is essential to provide the assurances required by the Security Council.
It is our sincere hope that the Iraqi leadership will now take the necessary steps to fulfil its international obligations. These obligations are clear. Iraq must comply fully with all relevant Security Council resolutions.
The Australian government is concerned at the humanitarian situation in Iraq and is deeply sympathetic to the plight of the Iraqi people. However UN sanctions are not aimed at the ordinary Iraqi person. Every effort has been made by the UN and the international community, including Australia, to limit their impact on the Iraqi people. The UK draft resolution would take us still further in this positive direction.
Australia welcomes the improvements which have been made in the implementation of the oil-for-food program since its inception, through the passage of resolutions 1284, 1302 and 1330. These improvements include the lifting of the ceiling which previously applied to Iraqi oil exports, expedited approval procedures for many food, agriculture, educational, housing and health items and increases in the money available to Iraq for expenditure on its oil sector.
Australia welcomes evidence that the oil-for-food program has arrested the decline in Iraqi living standards but equally recognises the imperative of further alleviating the predicament of the Iraqi civilian population. We therefore urge the international community to support the additional improvements to the program currently under consideration. We see this latest effort as an important step forward which will make a difference to the lives of ordinary Iraqi citizens.
Thank you Mr President.