The Declarations on Iraq
Following are two declarations issued by the leaders of the United States,
Britain, Spain and Portugal after their meeting in Ajes, Azores, on March 16:
Declaration on "A Vision for Iraq and the Iraqi People"
Iraq's talented people, rich culture, and tremendous potential have been
hijacked by Saddam Hussein. His brutal regime has reduced a country with a long
and proud history to an international pariah that oppresses its citizens,
started two wars of aggression against its neighbors and still poses a grave
threat to the security of its region and the world.
Saddam's defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions demanding the
disarmament of his nuclear, chemical, biological and long-range missile capacity
has led to sanctions on Iraq and has undermined the authority of the U.N. For
12 years, the international community has tried to persuade him to disarm and
thereby avoid military conflict, most recently through the unanimous adoption
of U.N. Security Council resolution 1441. The responsibility is his. If Saddam
refuses even now to cooperate fully with the United Nations, he brings on
himself the serious consequences foreseen in Unscr 1441 and previous
resolutions.
In these circumstances, we would undertake a solemn obligation to help the Iraqi
people build a new Iraq at peace with itself and its neighbors. The Iraqi
people deserve to be lifted from insecurity and tyranny, and freed to determine
for themselves the future of their country. We envisage a unified Iraq with its
territorial integrity respected. All the Iraqi people — its rich mix of Sunni
and Shiite Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Assyrians, Chaldeans, and all others — should
enjoy freedom, prosperity, and equality in a united country. We will support
the Iraqi people's aspirations for a representative government that upholds
human rights and the rule of law as cornerstones of democracy.
We will work to prevent and repair damage by Saddam Hussein's regime to the
natural resources of Iraq and pledge to protect them as a national asset of
and for the Iraqi people. All Iraqis should share the wealth generated by their
national economy. We will seek a swift end to international sanctions, and
support an international reconstruction program to help Iraq achieve real
prosperity and reintegrate into the global community.
We will fight terrorism in all its forms. Iraq must never again be a haven for
terrorists of any kind.
In achieving this vision, we plan to work in close partnership with
international institutions, including the United Nations; our allies and
partners and bilateral donors. If conflict occurs, we plan to seek the adoption,
on an urgent basis, of new United Nations Security Council resolutions that
would affirm Iraq's territorial integrity, ensure rapid delivery of
humanitarian relief, and endorse an appropriate post-conflict administration
for Iraq. We will also propose that the Secretary General be given authority,
on an interim basis, to ensure that the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people
continue to be met through the Oil for Food program.
Any military presence, should it be necessary, will be temporary and intended
to promote security and elimination of weapons of mass destruction; the
delivery of humanitarian aid; and the conditions for the reconstruction of
Iraq. Our commitment to support the people of Iraq will be for the long term.
We call upon the international community to join with us in helping to realize
a better future for the Iraqi people.
Declaration on Trans-Atlantic Cooperation
We, the leaders of four democracies with strong trans-Atlantic affiliation,
meet at a time of great challenge. We face painful choices.
We uphold a vision of international security we share with other nations. Our
nations and people know the horror of war, whether visited upon us, or whether
we are called to confront a great danger.
At this difficult moment, we reaffirm our commitment to our core values and the
trans-Atlantic Alliance that has embodied them for two generations. Our alliance
rests on a common commitment to democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. We are
bound by solemn commitment to defend one another. We will face and overcome
together the twin threats of the 21st century: terrorism and the spread of
weapons of mass destruction. All nations must unite to defeat these dangers.
We will not allow differences of the moment to be exploited in ways that bring
no solutions.
Our security is tied to peace and security throughout the world. Together, we
are working to bring security to Afghanistan, and to root out the terrorists
who remain there. We affirm a vision of a Middle East peace in which two
states, Israel and Palestine, will live side by side in peace, security, and
freedom. We welcome the fact that the road map designed to implement this
vision will soon be delivered to Palestinians and Israelis, upon the
confirmation of an empowered Palestinian prime minister. We would welcome the
appointment of a Palestinian prime minister with sufficient authority to put
an end to terrorism and consolidate necessary reforms. We shall look to the
parties to work constructively together. We have today issued a statement
outlining the challenge that Saddam Hussein poses for the world and our vision
of a better future for the Iraqi people.
We urge our friends and allies to put aside differences, and work together for
peace, freedom and security. The friendship and solidarity between Europe and
the United States is strong and will continue to grow in years to come.
Editors Note:These declarations show much
wisdom, and these leaders will be revered as great leaders in the annals of history.
Never before have 4 countries faced such opposition to securing Freedom and
Liberty for an entire population of oppressed people.
NOTICE: Some pages with information the War on Iraq, have content directly
quoted from the Bush White House website prior to the War on Iraq, and early into the war(2003). USResolve.org
does not endorse the information provided by the White House website, it remains here ONLY as an
historical record.
