The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

380. Mr Straw and Secretary Powell discussed again the importance of Mr Blair making

that point when he next spoke to President Bush. They also discussed that it would be

hard to see how there could be a second resolution, and even harder to justify military

action, if the inspectors failed to find anything.

381. Mr Straw and Secretary Powell spoke twice on 30 December. In their first

conversation, they discussed the possibility that the military would be ready to take

action but there would be no casus belli.133

382. In their second conversation Mr Straw and Secretary Powell discussed the

likelihood that, when the UN inspectors reported to the Security Council on 27 January,

they would report that they needed more time to complete their work.134

383. Mr Straw said it was:

“… perfectly possible that a clear casus belli could have been presented by

27 January, in which case we would get a second resolution and military action

would go ahead. But there was a sufficient possibility that we would not be in that

position. We should therefore develop a clear ‘plan B’ for the President and the

Prime Minister in which military action was postponed on the basis that inspections

plus the threat of force was containing Saddam.”

384. Mr Straw said he would discuss that further with Sir David Manning and

Mr Ricketts.

On 30 December, the Security Council adopted resolution 1452, adjusting the Goods

Review List approved in resolution 1409 (2002) and deciding to conduct a thorough review

of the List and the procedures for its implementation.135

Russia and Syria abstained in the vote:

• The Russian representative stated that the text was too restrictive.

• The Syrian representative stated that Iraq’s co‑operation with the weapons

inspectors and constructive approach on resolution 1441 (2002) should lead to the

lifting of sanctions, not the addition of further restrictions.136

133 Telegram 671 FCO London to Washington, 30 December 2002, ‘Iraq: Foreign Secretary’s Conversation

with US Secretary of State, 30 December’.

134 Letter Straw to Manning, 30 December 2002, ‘Iraq: Conversation with Colin Powell, 30 December’.

135 UN Security Council resolution 1454 (2002).

136 UN Press Release, 30 December 2002, Security Council Adjusts List of Restricted Goods Procedures

of Iraq Oil‑for‑Food Programme (SC/7623).

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