The Report
of the Iraq Inquiry
private
home. After insisting on their rights, the inspectors discovered a
cache
of documents
on nuclear enrichment.
•
Asserted
that the proposals put the onus on the Security Council, not
“where
it should
be – on Iraq”.
•
Asked how
offering more time would increase the pressure on
Iraq.
•
Questioned
how identifying key tasks would oblige Iraq to co-operate as
“even
when
requirements are stated very clearly”, as in resolution 1441, Iraq
complied
“belatedly,
grudgingly, partially or not at all”.
•
Stated that
none of the proposals for strengthening inspections could
be
implemented
quickly.
•
Questioned
the need to allow 120 days for a report on progress in
completing
key tasks:
“we already have ample evidence to the contrary”.
•
Stated that
it was: “Disingenuous to express support (indeed
encouragement)
for the
military build-up while at the same time making proposals
which
would
require forces to be held at a high state of readiness for a
wholly
758.
Mr Straw
published key documents on Iraq on 25 February.
759.
Mr Straw
stated that Iraq continued to pose the clearest possible threat
to
international
peace and security. He still hoped that Iraq would comply, but if
it did
not, he
hoped the international community would recognise its
responsibilities.
760.
During Oral
Questions to the Foreign Secretary on 25 February,
Mr Straw
announced
the publication of a Command Paper on Iraq.228
761.
The Command
Paper was “intended to bring together in an easily accessible
form
some of the
key international documents relevant to the Iraq crisis”. It
comprised:
•
key
Security Council resolutions;
•
the report
of the Amorim Panel in 1999;
•
the
briefings to the Security Council by Dr Blix and
Dr ElBaradei on 27 January
and 14
February 2003;
•
statements
by the European Union on 13 December 2002 and 27 January
and
17 February
2003;
•
the NATO
Summit statement of 21 November 2002; and
227
Telegram
103 FCO London to UKMIS New York, 26 February 2003, ‘Iraq:
French/Russian/German
proposals’.
228
House of
Commons, Official
Report, 25
February 2003, column 109.
314