Powell calls for stiff sanctions against Iraq

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) -- U.S. Secretary of State-designate Colin Powell said on Saturday he would work with American allies to breathe new life into sanctions against Iraq.

Powell, who as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff oversaw the U.S. military during the Gulf War, said Iraq had not lived up to the obligations of the 1991 truce, which called for Baghdad to account for its weapons of mass destruction and arms technologies programs.

"They have not yet fulfilled those agreements and my judgment is that sanctions in some form must be kept in place until they do so," Powell said. "We will work with our allies to re-energize the sanctions regime."

Powell was responding to a reporter's question during the ceremony at which President-elect George W. Bush named him to the top U.S. foreign policy post.

Regarding Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Powell said: "We are in the strong position. He is in the weak position. And I think it's possible to re-energize those sanctions and continue to contain him and then confront him should that become necessary," Powell said.

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