United Nations: The United States on March 7 dismissed as a "catalogue of non-co-
operation" the UN chief weapons inspector Hans Blix's praise of Iraq for disarmament
co-operation, and demanded a vote on the second resolution on Iraq issue in "very
near future".
Terming Blix report as "catalogue of non-co-operation", US Secretary of State Colin
Powell told the UN Security Council that the "small steps" taken by Iraq cannot be
described as genuine initiatives as Baghdad's compliance was neither by its own will
nor free.
Powell demanded a vote on the second resolution moved by the US and Britain "in the
very near future".
"The clock continues to tick and the consequences of Saddam Hussein's continued
refusal to disarm will be very, very real."
"Now is the time to tell Saddam that the clock has not been stopped by his
stratagems and machinations," he said.
The Council resolution requires "immediate, active and unconditional co-operation by
Iraq but what is forthcoming is grudging co-operation", Powell told the Council
meeting attended by the Foreign Ministers of the 15-member body.
"What is needed is Iraq declaring all its prohibited weapons and not more inspector
or more time," he asserted, adding inspectors are expected to verify and not look
under every rock or every cave.
"Colleagues, now is the time for the Council to send a clear message to Saddam that
we have not been taken in by his transparent tactics," he said asking the world body
not to allow the Iraqi leader to "fracture" their resolve.
"Nobody wants war, but it is clear that the limited progress we have seen come from
the presence of a large military force," he said.
PTI
