Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Reports by UNMOVIC and IAEA to the United Nations Security Council on the Inspections in Iraq

February 15, 2003
Japanese

On February 14th New York time (February 15th Japan time), Executive Chairman Blix of UNMOVIC and Director General ElBaradei of the IAEA reported to the UNSC. Covering the inspection activities since their last reports on January 27th, Executive Chairman Blix and Director General ElBaradei reported that while there had been some progress in procedure such as the holding of a few private interviews with Iraqi scientists, there were findings that Iraq is engaged in the development of missiles in violation of UNSC resolutions. They summed up by stating that immediate, active and unconditional cooperation form Iraq is indispensable in order to achieve the objective of the inspection for disposing weapons of mass destruction.
The peaceful solution which international community, including Japan, is hoping for hinges on Iraq's actions. Under such a circumstance, it is undeniable that doubts on the effectiveness of the continued inspection arise from the Iraq's passive cooperation that remains basically unchanged.
The UNSC is scheduled to hold a public meeting on the Iraqi issue on the 18th New York time. It is our understating that consultations among UNSC members will follow, taking into account the discussions at the public meeting. We strongly call upon Iraq to seriously address "the final opportunity" afforded to it by UNSC, change its attitude, and clear the doubts immediately and proactively.

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