Pause before a war

Iraq's acceptance of UN Security Council resolution 1441 two days before the deadline provides some basis for optimism of a war averted. The...

Iraq8217;s acceptance of UN Security Council resolution 1441 two days before the deadline provides some basis for optimism of a war averted. The resolution stipulates stringent inspection by the UN and IAEA inspectors.

But Iraq seems to have created a case for future policy choices by getting its national assembly to unanimously reject the proposal to accept the UN resolution. The official letter unambiguously states 8216;8216;Iraq neither had produced nor was in possession of any weapons of mass destruction, nuclear, chemical or biological, throughout the time of the inspectors8217; absence from Iraq8217;8217;. The Iraqi letter strongly reminds the UN Secretary General that it is willing to co-operate 8216;in spite8217; of the ongoing holy month of Ramadan. Washington would do well to note these, rather than dismiss them cynically.

The process of inspections would now proceed broadly in keeping with the UN Security Council resolution. Iraq has emphasised that agreements on the return of inspectors and the technical details and procedures had already been agreed upon between the UN and itself in September and October. The tussle itself now will revolve around the details of violations by Iraq.

The resolution itself does not define 8216;material breach8217; which could then be the basis of future action. Presumably, this would depend upon the evidence that might emerge, and how that is perceived by the major powers. Only time would remove such ambiguities. However, any evidence of breach could trigger a major confrontation, if not a war. No wonder Russia has already cautioned the US about working within the limits of the UN resolution.

The world should welcome the realism that finally seems to be emerging both in Baghdad and Washington. After months of internal tussles in the US administration, Secretary of State Colin Powell8217;s approach seems to have won over the more aggressive policy advocated by the Rumsfeld-Cheney group. But more important is the success in restoring the dignity and authority of the UN which has been increasingly at risk of being undermined in recent years.

President Bush8217;s unilateralist strategy for the time being has given way to the more multilateral approach to keep international peace and security through the UN and its charter. The US and UK8217;s convergence with the response of the UN Security Council constitutes a victory for international peace.