17 October 2002

Remarks to the Press, October 17, 2002

Secretary Colin L. Powell
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
New York, N.Y.
October 17, 2002
(4:45 p.m. EDT)

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, have you reached an agreement with France for a new UN resolution on Iraq?

SECRETARY POWELL: We are in consultations with our French colleagues as well as our Russian and Chinese and British colleagues and other members of the Security Council on a resolution. Those conversations are going well and they’re continuing and let me just reinforce our belief that one resolution is what is appropriate. A resolution that makes it clear that Iraq has been in violation, material breach of UN resolutions for a long period of time (inaudible) continued violation. Next we have to have a strong inspection regime if inspectors are to go back in. I’ve had conversations with Dr. Hans Blix this afternoon (inaudible) or if Iraq once again fails to abide by UN resolution, there have to be consequences and action has to be taken and that remains our position as we work with our Security Council colleagues. We are trying to break some of the differences that exist between our views and their views. But I just think that our views are rather directly clear.

QUESTION: (Inaudible) American proposal of the latest resolution. Will that prepare the authority for the United States to use military action or will they have to come back to get authority in a second resolution?

SECRETARY POWELL: The United States does not (inaudible) original authority even now until necessary to take action to defend ourselves. The President brought the problem to the United Nations in a very powerful speech on the 12thof September, I think laid out the case clearly and asked the UN to act to make sure that everybody knew that this was a real (inaudible) have done. Secondly, if inspectors go back in, they have to go back in under much more powerful instructions and with much more support and there is no opportunity for the Iraqis to deter the inspectors from their work (inaudible). Thirdly, there must be a threat, there must be consequences for their continued failure. Now, we hope that the UN Security Council, as it considers this, and as they come to a conclusion of this discussion, will make sure all of those elements are in whatever resolution is passed. We have not tabled a resolution, we have not tabled a resolution at all. We are having conversations with our Security Council colleagues and in due course, when those consultations are completed, the whole world will know what the position of the Council is.

QUESTION: Are you confident it can still be reached that a trigger mechanism that will be supported by Washington and the other members of the Council?

SECRETARY POWELL: I don’t think that a trigger mechanism is the right impression. The United States in now operating behind the authority given to the President by the joint resolution of the Congress last week. That joint resolution is clear. The United States should work with the United Nations to see if they can collectively deal with this problem and if it becomes necessary as a result of continued Iraqi violation of international law, it becomes necessary to apply force, the joint resolution says that the President should work with the United Nations to see if everybody will come to an agreement to do that. But at the same time, the resolution says that the President has the authority to act as President of the United States in the best interest of the United States in concert with well-minded nations, whether the United Nation is active or not. What we are trying to do is make this case to the United Nations that collective action is better, but there has to be an action. That is a clear action that the Iraqis understand that they are in violation. What the language will ultimately look like, where we will get agreement, whether nations will choose to preserve their prerogative remains to be seen. But our position is firm. We believe one resolution is appropriate and obviously the Council can always go out and have other discussion at any time it chooses. But any resolution that emerges from this will be a resolution that preserves the authority and right of the President of the United States to act in self defense of the American people, of our neighbors, in working in concert with the international community or with like-minded nations, if the international community through the UN does wish to act.

QUESTION: If Iraq is shown to be in violation, is the United States prepared to consult with the Council for launching its (inaudible)?

SECRETARY POWELL: We are in constant consultation with leaders around the world, and the resolution, I think will be clear when we finally finish the wording that other nations have the right to do what they wish to do with respect to consultations or further discussions. But the United States in the presence of continued violations, does (inaudible) will have the authority to do what we believe is necessary to protect our people and protect our friends. It is inherent in the laws of the United States and in constitutional position that the President (inaudible).

QUESTION: Are you any closer to agreement with France?

SECRETARY POWELL: We are in very close discussion with our French colleagues, I spoke with Foreign Minister earlier today as well as countless other people and we were talking to (inaudible) of the United Nations.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, will the United States take similar action against (inaudible) similar to what you have against Iraq?

SECRETARY POWELL: We are not planning anything of that nature right now. We have a serious situation in Northeast Asia. The President announced his policy earlier this year after studying North Korean situation that (inaudible) we he made clear to the North Koreans that we had serious problems with their proliferation activities, their missile development activities, the size of their forces along the DMZ, as well as efforts they have made in the past in (inaudible) now and in the future to develop weapons of mass destruction and posses nuclear weapons. We have communicated with the French (inaudible) Japanese, South Koreans, Chinese and the Russians about our concerns and then I met with the North Korean Foreign Minister, at the end of July, and then we sent the assistant secretary, a few weeks ago and we said to the North Koreans, there is a way forward. The United States wants to help (inaudible) keeping in mind the difficulty, the poverty, the economic problems following the poverty and hunger. But in order to help you, you have to meet the expectations of the international community. And one of the problems of greatest concern is the information that we have that you are involved in enriching uranium, as part of a nuclear weapons program that is inconsistent with the obligations under the agreed framework and other agreements. And after first denying it, the North Koreans came back the next day and acknowledged it, saying they were doing it and they tried to put the blame on this administration but we pointed out to them that this violation is theirs. It preceded this administration and it has been going on for years. The information just became available to us. North Korea has some explaining to do to the international community. North Korea has to make a choice as to whether it will move forward to provide a better life for its people or waste the limited resources it has on developing weapons of mass destruction that will not feed one North Korean child.

Thank you.

[End]