The United States says it may publicize a new United Nations resolution regarding the legality of using force against Iraq this week. These remarks were made today by Ari Fleischer, the White House spokesperson, as the UN Security Council began a two-day meeting to discuss the Iraq crisis. On Monday, the ambassadors of Britain and the United States met to discuss the timing and content of the new resolution. British Prime Minister Tony Blair states that Saddam Hussein's refusal to comply with UN disarmament resolutions justifies military action against Iraq. However, most members of the Security Council, led by Germany, France, and Russia, oppose war. Meanwhile, a former Iraqi scientist claims that he believes Iraq still possesses chemical and biological weapons. Hussein al-Shahristani, senior scientific advisor to the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission, said in an interview with reporters in the Philippines today that Iraq has dismantled its nuclear weapons but has hidden its chemical and biological weapons underground to evade the eyes of weapons inspectors. Mr. al-Shahristani, who spent over ten years in prison for refusing to produce prohibited weapons in Iraq, fled the country in 1991. He claims to have obtained his information from former colleagues and dissidents who have escaped from Iraq.
United States Says It May Publicize New UN Resolution on Use of Force Against Iraq This Week - 2003-02-19
The U.S. may announce a new UN resolution this week allowing military action against Iraq, justified by Saddam Hussein's non-compliance with disarmament. While the U.S. and UK support this action, key Security Council members like Germany, France, and Russia oppose it. A former Iraqi scientist claims Iraq still has hidden chemical and biological weapons.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The U.S. announced it might publicize a new UN resolution this week that could authorize military action against Iraq, citing Saddam Hussein's non-compliance with disarmament. Key Security Council members oppose this resolution, while a former Iraqi scientist claims Iraq still possesses banned weapons.
- The U.S. and UK are pushing for a resolution to justify military action against Iraq.
- Most Security Council members, including Germany, France, and Russia, are against the war.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The U.S. and its allies have accused Iraq of possessing weapons of mass destruction, leading to calls for military intervention, while many countries advocate for continued diplomatic solutions.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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