The Report
of the Iraq Inquiry
underlying
Iraq’s policy to rid itself of such weapons. Proof of this … lies
in the failure
by the
United States and Britain to prove any allegation that Iraq has
possessed
such
weapons in recent years, and especially during the period following
the
adoption of
resolution 1441 (2002).”
1024.
Mr Aldouri
stated that the inspectors had “refuted all the misleading
information
that was
presented” by the US and UK; and that the inspectors had “proved
that
information
to be false”, including the information that Secretary Powell had
“worked
so
arduously to put before the Council as damning evidence”. The US
and the UK had
failed to
“provide even a shred of evidence”.
1025.
Mr Aldouri
added that, when the US and the UK:
“… realised
that the world was beginning to understand the truth, namely, that
Iraq
was free of
weapons of mass destruction, those countries decided to expose
their
real goals
and intentions … to occupy Iraq and to control its oil wells … The
coming
days will
prove the reality of that truth. But by then it will be too
late.”
1026.
Mr Aldouri
stated that Iraq welcomed the work programme presented by
Dr Blix
and would
“do its utmost to complete those tasks as soon as possible and to
answer
every
question raised in the report”. Iraq had finalised two “important”
reports, on anthrax
and
unmanned planes, which would be handed over to UNMOVIC. He warned
that
the already
“dire humanitarian situation”, which was “due to an unjust
embargo”, would
deteriorate
further:
“Electricity,
potable water, sewage treatment, communications and other
essential
needs …
will be affected or, as was the case in 1991, destroyed. That will
lead to
a real
humanitarian catastrophe …
“The direct
humanitarian effects of the military attack will mean tens of
thousands
of casualties
and the complete destruction of the country’s
infrastructure.”
1027.
Mr Aldouri
dismissed the offers of millions of dollars of aid from the US
and
the UK and
the commitment to rebuild the infrastructure that would be
destroyed.
He
regretted the withdrawal of all UN agencies, the suspension of the
Oil-for-Food
programme
and the withdrawal of its entire international staff “in record
time”. That was
“truly
astonishing”; and the “decision to withdraw the inspectors so
swiftly” paved the
way for the
US and UK to “carry out acts of military aggression … much faster
than
was expected”.
1028.
Mr Aldouri
concluded by reaffirming that Iraq would “continue to work with
the
Security
Council to make the truth known” that Iraq was “free of weapons of
mass
destruction”.
Iraq hoped that the Council would “continue to search for a
peaceful
solution to
the crisis, ensure that the work of the inspectors continues and
resume
the Oil-for-Food
programme”.
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