[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 45 (Monday, November 9, 1998)]
[Page 2259]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Iraq's Noncompliance With United Nations Resolutions

November 5, 1998

    Iraq's latest attempt to block the vital work of the international 
weapons inspectors is totally unacceptable. That is not just my belief 
or America's belief; it is the demand of the international community. A 
short while ago, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted 
a resolution condemning Iraq's intransigence and insisting it 
immediately resume full cooperation with the weapons inspectors--no ifs, 
no ands, no buts about it.
    It is long past time for Iraq to meet its obligations to the world. 
After the Gulf war, the international community demanded and Iraq agreed 
to declare and destroy all of its chemical, biological, and nuclear 
weapons capability and the missiles to deliver them, and to meet other 
U.N. Security Council resolutions. We imposed these conditions to ensure 
that Iraq would no longer threaten the region or the world. We kept 
sanctions in place--exempting food, medicine, and other humanitarian 
supplies--to make sure that Iraq made good on its commitments.
    Now, the better part of a decade later, Iraq continues to shirk its 
clear obligations. Iraq has no one to blame but itself--and the people 
of Iraq have no one to blame but Saddam Hussein--for the position Iraq 
finds itself in today. Iraq could have ended its isolation long ago by 
simply complying with the will of the world. The burden is on Iraq to 
get back in compliance and meet its obligations--immediately.