Today's Date:

Russia, Germany and France, in close coordination, reaffirm that the disarmament of Iraq. in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions since Resolution 687, is the common aim of the international community, and that it must be pursued to its conclusion within the shortest possible period.
There is a debate over the means to achieve this. This debate must continue in the spirit of friendship and respect that characterises our relations with the United States. It should be inspired by the principles of the United Nations Charter, as stated recently by Mr. Kofi Annan.
Resolution 1441, adopted unanimously by the Security Council, provides a framework whose possibilities have not yet been thoroughly explored.

The inspections conducted by UNMOVIC and the IAEA have already yielded results. Russia, Germany and France favour the continuation of inspections and the substantial strengthening of their human and technical capabilities by all possible means and in consultation with the inspectors, within the framework of Resolution 1441.

There is still an alternative to war. The use of force could only be a last resort. Russia, Germany and France are determined to allow every opportunity for the peaceful disarmament of Iraq.
It is up to Iraq to cooperate actively with UNMOVIC and the IAEA in their work so that they can complete the inspections. The Iraqi regime must face up to its responsibilities in full.

Russia, Germany and France note that the position they express coincides with that of a large number of countries, within the Security Council in particular.