Canada supports War

[MrVicchio]

PM says UN resolution 'will authorize action'
Last Updated Thu, 30 Jan 2003 18:08:58
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Jean Chr�tien has made his clearest statement yet about Canada's position on Iraq.


INDEPTH: Iraq: U.S. military buildup

In an interview with Canadian Press, Chr�tien says if the UN weapons inspectors find evidence Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, a second UN resolution authorizing force would not be necessary before an invasion.

Jean Chr�tien (CP Photo)
"The report of (chief UN weapons inspector Hans) Blix, if he says (Saddam Hussein) is not conforming, he has not disarmed, Resolution 1441 will authorize action," Chr�tien told CP.

"Perhaps some people will want to have another vote. I'm not there, I don't vote there. But let's follow the process."

For weeks the opposition parties in Parliament have been trying to draw out the prime minister: whether he believes a second resolution is needed, whether he believes Iraq is in "material breach" of the resolution, or if he believes the U.S. would be justified in launching an attack against Iraq without specific UN approval.

Chr�tien's comments to CP seem to indicate he believes the resolution passed by the UN late last year is enough. France, a permanent member of the Security Council, disagrees and says it wants another resolution passed by the council authorizing the use of force.

The prime minister said he will be interested to see what evidence U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell produces next week at the United Nations to prove the link between Iraq and al-Qaeda.

Chr�tien also denied that his cabinet is divided over Canada's position on Iraq.