New Delhi: Germany on March 4 said it was opposed to a US-initiated second
resolution on Iraq seeking the backing of the UN Security Council for possible
military action and asserted that everything should be done to avert a war.
"There is need to do everything we can to avoid a military conflict," visiting
German President Johannes Rau told reporters.
"India and Germany share the hope and have not yet given up hope that activities of
inspectors will help fulfil the goal of complete disarmament of Iraq of its weapons
of mass destruction," he said.
German Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kerstin Muller, who is accompanying
Rau, said "peaceful disarmament of Iraq is possible" and for this President Saddam
Hussein should co-operate.
"This is not the time for a new resolution. It is not needed," she said.
Rau, who held wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and
other leaders, said the two sides shared views on the Iraq crisis.
Asked whether Germany backed India's candidature for permanent membership of an
enlarged Security Council, he said, "Germany has repeatedly expressed its
understanding of this wish of India, particularly in view of its size as also its
importance."
On the ongoing Indo-Pak stand-off, he said during the talks the Indian side had
voiced its concerns as also its disappointment over Pakistan's approach towards
attempts made at bridge-building.
PTI
