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The Report of the Iraq Inquiry
“Decides that Iraq will have failed to take the final opportunity afforded by resolution
1441 (2002) unless, on or before 17 March 2003, the Council concludes that Iraq has
demonstrated full, unconditional, immediate and active co-operation in accordance
with its disarmament obligations under resolution 1441 (2002) and previous relevant
resolutions, and is yielding possession to UNMOVIC and the IAEA of all weapons,
weapon delivery and support systems and structures, prohibited by resolution 687
(1991) and all subsequent resolutions, and all information regarding prior destruction
of such items;
“Decides to remain seized of the matter.”
7 March 2003
Security Council, 7 March 2003
DR BLIX’S REPORT TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL, 7 MARCH 2003
1086.  In his report to the Security Council on 7 March, Dr Blix stated that there
had been an acceleration of initiatives from Iraq since the end of January, but they
could not be said to constitute immediate co-operation. Nor did they necessarily
cover all areas of relevance; but they were nevertheless welcome.
1087.  As required by resolution 1284 (1999) UNMOVIC was drawing up a work
programme of key disarmament tasks for approval by the Security Council which
would be ready later that month.
1088.  It would take “months” to complete the task.
1089.  Introducing UNMOVIC’s 12th quarterly report of activity to 28 February 2003,
as required by resolution 1284 (1999), which had already been circulated to the
Security Council, Dr Blix stated that, when the report had been finalised, there had still
been “relatively little tangible progress to note” and the report had been “cautious”.
By 7 March, there had been a number of relevant events on which he would bring
the Council up to date.341
1090.  The key points from Dr Blix’s report are set out in the Box below.
Dr Blix’s report, 7 March 2003
Inspections process
Inspections had begun on 27 November 2002, and “faced relatively few difficulties”. Initial
difficulties about helicopters and aerial surveillance had “been overcome”. While there
were “frictions”, “at this juncture”, UNMOVIC was “able to perform professional no-notice
341  UN Security Council, ‘4714th Meeting Friday 7 March 2003’ (S/PV.4714).
374
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