Australia Supports Military Action Against Iraq

The Minister for Defence John Moore today stated that the Australian Government fully supports the military strikes taken by the United States and United Kingdom against Iraq.

"Saddam Hussein has ignored the strongly expressed will of the international community, including the United Nations Security Council and Iraq's Arab neighbours, that it must resume its cooperation with UNSCOM. Military action was a necessary and appropriate response to Iraq's continued flouting of such will."

The Minister said that as long as Iraq has the capability to produce and deliver weapons of mass destruction it would pose a threat to regional and international peace and security.

"Iraq's continued and persistent obstruction of the work of UNSCOM in destroying its weapons of mass destruction and its capability to reconstitute such programs can no longer be tolerated."

Mr Moore said that Saddam Hussein was fully and solely responsible for the military action taken.

"Saddam Hussein could have easily prevented the strikes in the same way that he can have sanctions lifted: by complying with UN Security Council resolutions. To avoid military strikes he needed only to resume cooperation with UNSCOM."

"Military action was necessary to force Iraq to comply with UN Security Council resolutions as well as neutralising Saddam Hussein's ability to threaten other countries in the Middle East. The international community was left with no other option."

Mr Moore said that Australia was not asked to participate in the military action, however Australia and the United States have been in close contact at all levels throughout the crisis.

Further information . . .

Chris Wordsworth: (02) 6277 7800, 0419 982 482

Media Adviser

       Facsimile: (02) 6273 4118