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The Report of the Iraq Inquiry
US/UK draft resolution, 23 October 2002
Key revisions in the text tabled in the Security Council by the US and UK on 23 October
were:
a new OP2 recalling that the Council had repeatedly warned Iraq that it would
face serious consequences as a result of its continued violations of its objectives,
replacing the reference to all necessary means in the initial OP10;
a new OP4 deciding that false statements and omissions in the declarations
submitted by Iraq (pursuant to this resolution ‑ the original OP2 provisions)
and failure by Iraq at any time to comply with, and co‑operate fully in the
implementation of this resolution shall constitute a further material breach
of Iraq’s obligations;
a new OP11, a revision of the previous OP9, directing Dr Blix and Dr ElBaradei
to report immediately to the Council any interference by Iraq with inspection
activities, as well as any failure by Iraq to comply with its disarmament obligations,
including its obligations regarding inspections under this resolution; and
a new OP12, a revision of the previous OP10, deciding that the Council would
convene immediately upon receipt of a report (in accordance with OP11) to
consider the situation and the need for full compliance with all the relevant
Security Council resolutions in order to restore international peace and security.
702.  Sir Jeremy Greenstock reported that he had stated:
“In terms of process this was the first time we … had a text worth putting down
as [the] basis for discussion. The text gave Iraq a clear warning that it had a last
chance to comply with strengthened UN inspections. This was a genuine offer …
the co‑sponsors were proposing two clear stages. No decisions on further action
would be taken until inspections had been tested by UNMOVIC/IAEA, professional
and independent bodies. If [they] reported problems, the text made clear that the
Council would immediately meet to discuss the way forward – this was something
the UK had wanted and which had not figured in previous drafts. The rest of the draft
dealt with two main priorities: strengthening inspections so Iraq understood it had
no escape but to comply; and underlining the serious consequences if Iraq did not
comply, subject to OPs 11 and 12.”240
703.  Sir Jeremy added that he “hoped this was something the whole Council could
support”.
704.  Sir Jeremy reported that while the French delegation had welcomed the progress
since the initial draft to identify two, well‑defined stages, there were still concerns that
it contained “hidden triggers” for automatic military action. France also wanted the
240 Telegram 2030 UKMIS New York to FCO London, 23 October 2002, ‘Iraq: UK/US Text Presented to the
Security Council’.
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