Open Meeting on Iraq

In a portion of an open debate on a resolution to return weapons inspectors to Iraq and sanction the country for any future non-compliance, ambassadors presented their country’s position on both the resolution and potential future action by the Security Council. At issue was the authorization of the use of force to compel Iraq to comply with U.N. demands. French and Russian ambassadors argued for a two-step process by which any military action would require a second resolution. British and American ambassadors argued for wording which stressed “consequences” for non-compliance. close