92002E1060

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1060/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(17 April 2002)

Subject: Prevention of military operations against Iraq

The reference by the President of the USA to the axis of evil and the persistent talk of imminent military operations against Iraq have alarmed public opinion in the Member States. Since any new war in Iraq will also directly affect European interests in the region, what common position has the Council adopted in response to this likely eventuality and what initiatives has it taken to avert further military operations against Iraq?

Reply

(30 September 2002)

The Council remains convinced that any solution as regards Iraq must involve the complete, and unconditional implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions, in particular Resolutions 687, 1284 and 1382, and that Iraq must comply with its disarmament obligations. The Council is monitoring closely the meetings with the UN Secretary-General and supports his efforts. In fact, the Iraqi Minister for Foreign Affairs, Naji Sabri, has met the UN Secretary-General on two occasions, on 7 March and 1 and 2 May. The UN Secretary-General felt, at the end of the last meeting, that rapid progress had been made, bearing in mind in particular the fact that the Iraqi Minister had been accompanied by senior officials who were disarmament experts and that genuine dialogue had taken place on the application of the Resolutions and cooperation with UNMOVIC. The next meeting [is to be held in about one month, and the EU hopes that it will yield positive, tangible results](1).

(1) To be updated by corrigendum if this reply has not reached the European Parliament by the date in question.