[PEN-L:34292] UK restates nuclear threat

[Sabri Oncu <soncu@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sunday, 2 February, 2003, 19:25 GMT

UK restates nuclear threat

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon says Saddam Hussein "can be
absolutely confident" the UK is willing to use nuclear weapons
"in the right conditions".

Speaking on BBC One's Breakfast with Frost Mr Hoon said the UK
reserved the right to use the weapons "in extreme self defence".

It is widely reported that before the first Gulf War the US and
its allies made it known to the Iraqi leader that nuclear weapons
would be the response to any use of chemical or biological
weapons.

On Friday Mr Hoon's Cabinet colleague, International Development
Secretary Clare Short, said she could foresee no scenario in
which a retaliatory nuclear strike would serve any useful
purpose.

Mr Hoon contradicted her view, saying nuclear weapons could not
be a deterrent if there was no willingness to use them.

Confident on resolution

He said: "We have always made it clear that we would reserve the
right to use nuclear weapons in conditions of extreme self
defence."

"Saddam can be absolutely confident that in the right conditions
we would be willing to use nuclear weapons."

Mr Hoon said there was no fixed timetable for war.

A further discussion was necessary in the United Nations Security
Council after a material breach of resolution 1441 was declared.

He said that if and when that happened, the UK would make "a very
determined effort" to secure a second UN resolution giving
backing for military action against the Iraqi leader.

"We are confident there will be a second resolution," added Mr
Hoon.

Inspectors toughen

Saddam had been give a "last chance" with the original
resolution, but he was failing to cooperate with the inspectors
and "the clock is ticking".

Mr Hoon, who said he would welcome any sign of Saddam cooperating
with the weapons inspectors, added that a statement on a RAF
deployment to the Gulf would be made to the House of Commons
soon.

Meanwhile the United Nations chief weapons inspectors have set
tough new conditions for holding a fresh round of talks with
Iraqi officials.

UN officials said Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei will return to
Baghdad on 8 February, but are insisting on greater co-operation
from Iraq on issues including surveillance flights and interviews
with scientists.

US President George W Bush has warned he will not tolerate any
attempt by Baghdad to delay possible military action by
"stringing along" inspectors.

Arms experts were stymied again on Saturday when a 17th Iraqi
researcher refused to meet them alone.

Alliance building

As the progress towards apparent war continues, US Secretary of
State Colin Powell is expected to unveil a US dossier on Iraq's
weapons of mass destruction to the UN on Wednesday.

The alliance building continues, with UK Prime Minister Tony
Blair and South African President Thabo Mbeki meeting on Saturday
for talks on issues including Iraq, the Middle East peace
process, African development and Zimbabwe.


Although Downing Street described them as "cordial", President
Mbeki told Sky News' Sunday with Adam Boulton that South Africa
was concerned about military action against Iraq.

The previous day Mr Blair and President George W Bush stood
united in their pledge to disarm President Saddam Hussein "in a
matter of weeks not months" at their White House summit.

Next week Mr Blair will meet French President Jacques Chirac, who
appears reluctant to back the US position on Iraq.

Mr Blair told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday he did
not believe Mr Bush would disregard the UN.


Nelson Mandela

He added that "even now" Saddam Hussein could avoid war by
co-operating fully with the weapons inspectors.

But he said: "It is really a question of whether people believe
Saddam is likely to comply or not.

"Personally I think it is frankly obvious he is not."

The South African leader's predecessor, Nelson Mandela has
accused the prime minister of arrogance and short-sightedness.

He said Mr Blair was "no longer prime minister of Britain" but
instead "the foreign minister of the United States".

Article at:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2717939.stm