As the resolution spells out, Iraq has defied the U.N.--and therefore the whole interna- tional community--over the last eleven years. It has been and continues to be in material breach of a series of U.N. resolutions. With the adoption of this resolution, the Security Council has made clear beyond doubt that the U.N. will no longer tolerate this. In the words of the resolution, Iraq now has a "final opportunity" to comply with its internation- al, legal obligations by giving up once and for all its weapons of mass destruction--its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs and the means to deliver them. If it does not, then the consequences are clear.

This resolution sets up a tough, new inspection regime. I have full confidence in Dr Blix and Dr El-Baradei and their teams, and full respect for their integrity and independence, as they embark on such a crucial and difficult task.

The position of the international community is now unified and certain. The weapons inspectors must return to Iraq. They must carry out their work without any restriction, condition or inhibition on their effectiveness. The duty of Saddam Hussein is to cooper- ate fully and totally.

That means giving access to all the sites and palaces. It means allowing key witnesses to be interviewed free from fear. It means a full declaration of the weapons that exist and their whereabouts. The obligation is to cooperate. It is not a game of hide and seek, where the inspectors try their best to find the weapons and Saddam Hussein does his best to conceal them. The duty of cooperation means not just access but information. Failure to be open and honest in helping the inspectors do their work is every bit as much a breach as failure to allow access to sites. The goal is disarmament of all chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. If Saddam complies, that is the U.N. mandate fulfilled.

I may find this regime abhorrent. Any normal person would. But the survival of it is in his hands. Conflict is not inevitable. Disarmament is. In the event of Saddam refusing to cooperate or being in breach, there will be a further U.N. discussion, as we always said there would be. To those who fear this resolution is just an automatic trigger point, without any further discussion, paragraph 12 of the resolution makes it clear that is not the case.

But everyone now accepts that, if there is a default by Saddam, the international com- munity must act to enforce its will. Failure to do so would mean, having stated our clear demand, we lacked the will to enforce it. So, let us hope this issue can be resolved peace- fully. From the outset, I wanted this resolved through the U.N. with the international community acting together. Now that can happen. We have made our choice: disarma- ment through the U.N., with force as a last resort.

Saddam Hussein must now make his choice. My message to him is this: disarm or you face force. There must be no more games, no more deceit, no more prevarication, obstruction or defiance. Cooperate fully and despite the terrible injustice you have often inflicted on others, we will be just with you. But defy the U.N,'s will and we will disarm you by force. Be under no doubt whatever of that.

Finally, I have a message for the Iraqi people. We have no quarrel with you. We want you to be our friends and partners in welcoming Iraq back into the world community. We desire an Iraq at peace with itself and its neighbours, its people prosperous and strong. You are an immensely talented people, with a rich history and culture. You have much to give the region and the wider world.

Whatever happens, the territorial integrity of Iraq will be absolute. Whatever happens, we will work with you for a fairer and better future for the Iraqi people. You have suf- fered from long years of war, government corruption, and political repression.

I hope an Iraq free of weapons of mass destruction, with a government unable to use such weapons to oppress its people and threaten its neighbours, is a symbol of change for you and hope for the future.

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