- News>
- World
Schroeder says threat posed by Iraq does not justify war
Berlin, Mar 18: German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder today said that the threat posed by Iraq does not justify war, which grew more imminent with US President George W Bush`s 48-hour ultimatum for the Iraqi dictator to leave his country.
Berlin, Mar 18: German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder today said that the threat posed by Iraq
does not justify war, which grew more imminent with US President George W Bush's 48-hour ultimatum for the Iraqi dictator to leave his country.
``Does the threat posed by the Iraqi dictator justify a war, which is sure to kill thousands of innocent children, women and men? My answer in this case was and is: no!'' he said in prepared remarks broadcast on ARD national television.
In a direct response to Bush's ultimatum for Saddam Hussein to go, Schroeder said the main goal of the UN Security Council resolution 1441 passed last fall was disarmament. The statement appeared to be aimed at undermining Washington's desire to see a regime change in Baghdad.
``As desirable as it is that the dictator leaves his post, the goal of resolution 1441 is the disarmament of Iraq of weapons of mass destruction,'' Schroeder said. Germany, along with France and Russia, opposes military action and resisted a proposed second US-British resolution at the Security Council that would have set the Iraqi leader a short deadline to disarm or face war.
Schroeder said the presence of weapons inspectors was keeping the Iraqi threat in check, and renewed his call that inspections be given more time. This opinion is shared by the majority of people in the world and of the security council members, he said.
Nonetheless, ``I have my doubts whether peace will get a chance in the coming hours,'' Schroeder said. ``Whatever happens in the coming days or even weeks, you can be sure that my government will pursue even the smallest chance for peace.'' Bureau Report
In a direct response to Bush's ultimatum for Saddam Hussein to go, Schroeder said the main goal of the UN Security Council resolution 1441 passed last fall was disarmament. The statement appeared to be aimed at undermining Washington's desire to see a regime change in Baghdad.
``As desirable as it is that the dictator leaves his post, the goal of resolution 1441 is the disarmament of Iraq of weapons of mass destruction,'' Schroeder said. Germany, along with France and Russia, opposes military action and resisted a proposed second US-British resolution at the Security Council that would have set the Iraqi leader a short deadline to disarm or face war.
Schroeder said the presence of weapons inspectors was keeping the Iraqi threat in check, and renewed his call that inspections be given more time. This opinion is shared by the majority of people in the world and of the security council members, he said.
Nonetheless, ``I have my doubts whether peace will get a chance in the coming hours,'' Schroeder said. ``Whatever happens in the coming days or even weeks, you can be sure that my government will pursue even the smallest chance for peace.'' Bureau Report