PRIME MINISTER

IRAQ

On 15 November - just one month ago - Iraq undertook unconditionally to cooperate fully  with the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency  (IAEA) and to allow the return of inspectors to resume all their activities on an immediate,  unconditional and unrestricted basis in accordance with UN resolutions.

This followed a period of high tension caused by Iraq's suspension of cooperation with  UNSCOM.

Sadly, notwithstanding that solemn agreement, Iraq has reverted to the pattern of nonÂ­ cooperation and obstruction that has characterised Iraq's behaviour since the end of the Gulf  War in 1991.

Against that background, and aware that there were no other options open to them, the  Australian Government fully supports the military action taken by the United States and the  United Kingdom.

The international community has bent over backwards to provide Saddam Hussein with  opportunities to demonstrate that he was prepared to fulfil his obligations to destroy Iraq's  weapons of mass destruction.

His persistent defiance of UN Security Council resolutions requiring him to destroy these  weapons and his repeated obstruction of inspections by UNSCOM has been a matter of the  gravest concern for Australia as for other members of the international community.

Iraq's refusal to allow UNSCOM to carry out its work has only exacerbated the concerns of  the international community about Iraq's capabilities and intentions.

Until Iraq's nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and its capability to produce them have  been destroyed, Iraq poses a threat to its region and to the world's security.

Australia has a direct national interest in ensuring that weapons of mass destruction do not  proliferate and that the mechanisms established by the international community are effective.

Iraq has left the international community no option but to take military action to degrade  Iraq's weapons capability and its capacity to threaten its neighbours.

1 7 December 1998

