The Report
of the Iraq Inquiry
160.
Addressing the
need for a second Security Council resolution if military
action
proved
necessary, Mr Straw stated that resolution 1441
did:
“… not
stipulate that there has to be a second … resolution to authorise
military
action in
the event of a further material breach … The idea that there should
be
a second
resolution was an alternative discussed informally among members
of
the …
Council … during the weeks of negotiation, but no draft to that
effect was
ever tabled …
nor put to the vote ...
“I should
make it clear … that the preference of the Government in the event
of
any
material breach is that there should be a second … resolution
authorising
military
action. However, the faith being placed in the Security Council …
requires
the Council
to show a corresponding level of responsibility. So far it has done
and
I believe
it will do so in the future, but we must reserve our position in
the event that
it does not
… So the discussion … in the event of a material breach, will be on
the
understanding
action will follow.”
161.
Mr Straw
also stated:
“… the
moment there is any evidence of a material breach … there will be
a
meeting of
the Security Council at which it is … open for any member to move
any
resolution …
Our preference is for a Security Council resolution, and I hope
we
would move
it.”
162.
Addressing
whether the House of Commons would be able to vote if military
action
was
necessary and, if so, when, Mr Straw told
Parliament:
“No
decision on military action has yet been taken … and I fervently
hope that none
will be
necessary … However, we have got this far in terms of Saddam’s
compliance
only
because active diplomacy has been backed by the credible threat of
force.
For that
threat to remain credible, it is crucial that we make proper
preparations.”
“Any
decision … to take military action will be put to the House as soon
as possible
after it
has been taken … [T]he Government have no difficulty about the idea
of a
substantive
motion on military action … at the appropriate time.”
“… If we
can come to the House without placing our troops at risk, we shall
do so …”
164.
In response to
questions, Mr Straw added:
“… if we
can and if it is safe to do so, we will propose a resolution
seeking the
House’s
approval of decisions … before military action takes
place.”
165.
Mr Michael
Ancram (Conservative) supported the motion although he sought
to
highlight
divisions within the Parliamentary Labour Party by asserting that
he would have
“liked the
motion to be more specific and stronger … and to dispel the
uncertainties
32