Ireland and US differ over second UN resolution

Differing views held by Ireland and the US over a second UN resolution on Iraq were evident after a meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs and US envoy Mr Richard Haass in Dublin today.

Mr Cowen reiterated the Government believes a second UN resolution is very important prior to any possible military action in Iraq.

However, Mr Haass, echoed a cool response to the proposal, voiced by President George W Bush in a meeting with British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair.

Mr Haass said the US did not consider a second resolution essential but said the US would consider the idea.

He added that the US welcomed consultation with other members of the Security Council and other governments adding the US was committed to resolving the Iraqi situation "with as broad support as possible from the international community".

He stressed that war was not inevitable. "We have not passed the point of no return. What is inevitable is Iraq's full disarmament in the area of weapons of mass destruction. The choice, as it has been all along is for Saddam Hussein to make. He must disarm," he said.

Mr Haass said the US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, will tomorrow present "what we believe is new, compelling information about how and in what way the Iraqis are not supplying information that is required under the UN resolution, information that is required if the inspection process is to be viable and, secondly the Secretary of State will present a demonstration of ways in which the Iraqis are specifically and directly working against the efficacy of the inspection process itself."

"This is not a dispute between Iraq and the US. It is a dispute between Iraq and the International community and the UN security Council and the civilised world," he said.