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Schroeder: 'No' to war in Iraq
BERLIN, Germany -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has declared his country is not ready to back any new U.N. resolution backing military action in Iraq. "Don't expect Germany to approve a resolution legitimising war, don't expect it," he told a rally of his Social Democrats party. His comments are the clearest indication yet on how Germany will vote if a resolution on a possible strike against Baghdad comes before the U.N. Security Council. Although Germany has no powers of veto in the U.N., Schroeder's speech points to a vote against, or abstention at this stage, of any resolution authorising military action against Iraq The Associated Press reported. Germany, which became a temporary member of the Security Council this month, takes over the rotating chair of the council next month. (Full story) Schroeder has already refused to send German troops to any Gulf campaign and Germany is one of four key countries on the Security Council expressing reluctance to see a war in the region. France, Russia and China -- all permanent members of the council -- have made it clear they will not be rushed by any pressure from Washington for action against Saddam Hussein, and have backed a call by U.N. inspectors for more time to carry out their searches in Iraq. The U.N. weapons inspectors are due to report to the Security Council on its findings so far on January 27. U.S. President George W. Bush has repeated his claim that time is running out for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to comply with Resolution 1441 to disarm. (Full Story) Bush said: "He is delaying. He's deceiving. He's asking for time. He's playing hide-and-seek with inspectors. "One thing is for certain, he's not disarming. And so the United States of America, in the name of peace, will continue to insist he does disarm, and we will keep the pressure on Saddam Hussein." Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair has backed Bush's calls, sending more than 30,000 troops and a small task force to the area. (Full Story) Russian Deputy Ambassador Gennady Gatilov was quoted by the AP as saying: "The real situation shows that inspections are going on and so the resolution is being implemented." He said the remaining problems are "solvable." France hinted this week that it might use its veto to block any authorisation for war. "We see no justification right now for any military action," French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said on Tuesday during a visit to Belgium. Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel agreed, adding Belgium shared France's view that more time was needed for the weapons inspections. French President Jacques Chirac said it would be "wise" to listen to U.N. inspectors' requests. Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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