3.5 | Development of UK strategy and options, September to November 2002

3.5 | Development of UK strategy and options, September to November 2002 –

the negotiation of resolution 1441

to consult if there were a violation, and underline that he would then expect the Security

Council to act.266

789. In a discussion with Secretary Powell on 6 November, Mr Straw commented that

the UK and US had got what they wanted, including “serious consequences”.267

790. On 2 November, France proposed that the following words should be added to the

paragraph:

“shall constitute a further material breach of Iraq’s obligations when assessed by the

Security Council.”268

791. The US then proposed:

“… shall constitute a further material breach of Iraq’s obligations and will be reported

to the Security Council for assessment in accordance with OP12.”

792. The resolution was finally tabled in the Security Council on 6 November.

793. The revised US/UK draft resolution was presented to the Security Council on

6 November.269

794. Lord Goldsmith saw the draft text.270

795. The omission of a reference to OP11 in the US proposal was a matter of concern

to both France and Russia. Russia expressed concern that its omission created a casus

belli before a reported breach reached the Security Council; France was concerned that

OP4 should refer to OPs 11 “and” 12 lest it might be taken to imply that a meeting of the

Security Council could take place, not on a report from UNMOVIC or the IAEA, but from

a Council member.271

796. Sir Jeremy Greenstock reported that points raised in discussions between

P5 Ambassadors included:

• Ambassador Negroponte said the draft resolution “was a genuine US effort to

go through the UN and strengthen inspections – not to find hidden triggers”.

A resolution with P5 support “would give the clearest possible signal to Iraq”.

266 Letter Manning to McDonald, 6 November 2002, ‘Iraq: Conversation with Condi Rice’.

267 Telegram [un‑numbered] FCO London to Washington, 6 November 2002, ‘Foreign Secretary’s

Conversation with US Secretary of State, 6 November’.

268 Telegram 585 FCO London to UKMIS New York, 2 November 2002, ‘Iraq: Foreign Secretary’s

Conversation with US Secretary of State, 2 November’.

269 Telegram 2120 UKMIS New York to FCO London, 7 November 2002, ‘Iraq: Security Council

Consultations’.

270 Manuscript comment Adams to AG on Telegram 2112 UKMIS New York to FCO London,

6 November 2002, ‘Iraq: 6 November Revised Resolution’.

271 Telegram 2119 UKMIS New York to FCO London, 7 November 2002, ‘Personal Iraq: P5 Meeting

and Contacts with Negroponte’.

335