Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-02-12-Speech-3-180"
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"en.20030212.5.3-180"2
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"Mr President, I welcome this debate on the eve of Monday’s Summit, for Europe must speak out for peace, in support of all initiatives which can prevent war in Iraq. The Council, the Commission and Parliament, acting together, can help to bring about a change in the situation in Baghdad. However, war can be avoided if Saddam Hussein leaves his country or if he can provide concrete evidence that he has destroyed all the prohibited weapons. Thus far, the dictator has failed to comply with the United Nations’ requests formulated in the 1991 resolution. If Iraq had behaved like South Africa, Belarus or Kazakhstan, we would not be in this tragic situation now.
The Baghdad regime is guilty of a major violation of the will of the UN. Iraq has, in practice, failed to comply. I wonder, and I put it to you, whether it is still possible to prevent conflict. It may be, but Europe must stand united, the international community must stand united. Indeed, the Iraqi regime will use each division, each sign of weakening, to attempt to strengthen its own positions. That is why the Union must speak with a single voice in order to bring about peace, but also in order to ensure the safety of the citizens, who are still at the mercy of terrorist organisations which are threatening to use bacteriological and chemical weapons which may still be in Iraq.
That is why I support the position calling upon the institutions and governments of Europe to follow three guidelines. Firstly, to strengthen relations between the countries of the Union in order to achieve a common position. Secondly, to prevent divisions between the United States and the European Union, and, in this regard, I agree with the Italian politician who said that Europe cannot exist if it stands apart from or in opposition to the United States of America. Thirdly, to make every endeavour to preserve the credibility of the multilateral organisations, NATO and the UN.
In conclusion, Mr President, not forcing Saddam Hussein to respect the United Nations resolution is tantamount to divesting the Security Council of its authority. This is the line being taken by the Italian Government, which will be at the helm of the Union during the second half of the year. I feel this is another reason why we must pay careful attention to and support the peace-keeping initiatives emanating from Rome."@en1
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