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Britain warns UNSC `not to play games` over post-war Iraq
As-Saliyah, Qatar, Apr 15: Britain today told the UN Security Council to forget past divisions over Iraq and accept the new reality created by the US-led invasion.
As-Saliyah, Qatar, Apr 15: Britain today told the UN Security Council to forget past divisions over Iraq and accept the new reality created by the US-led invasion.
"It is the responsibility of all members of the Security Council, but particularly those with vetos, not to play games, but to recognise this new reality," foreign secretary Jack Straw said at US Central Command's war base in Qatar.
Britain sees a "vital role" in post-war Iraq for the council, which was bitterly divided over US and British plans to use military force against Baghdad, Straw said.
But that "depends on the degree to which others in the Security Council, particularly the permanent five, show a similarly constructive approach".
The veto-wielding permanent five members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States – should "instead of arguing about what has been, what might have been, accept that there is a new reality in Iraq", said Straw.
He was in Qatar on the third leg of a tour of the Gulf after stops in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Bureau Report
Britain sees a "vital role" in post-war Iraq for the council, which was bitterly divided over US and British plans to use military force against Baghdad, Straw said.
But that "depends on the degree to which others in the Security Council, particularly the permanent five, show a similarly constructive approach".
The veto-wielding permanent five members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States – should "instead of arguing about what has been, what might have been, accept that there is a new reality in Iraq", said Straw.
He was in Qatar on the third leg of a tour of the Gulf after stops in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Bureau Report