IRAQ - Jan. 26 - Powell Insists US Ready To Act Alone.US State Secretary Colin Powell Noun 1. Colin Powell - United States general who was the first African American to serve as chief of staff; later served as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush (born 1937) Colin luther Powell, Powell tells global business and government leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos: "The US is in no rush to go to war. We seek Iraq's peaceful disarmament disarmament Reduction in armaments by one or more nations. Arms reductions may be imposed by a war's victors on the defeated (as happened after Germany's defeat in World War I). . But we will not shrink from Verb 1. shrink from - avoid (one's assigned duties); "The derelict soldier shirked his duties" fiddle, shirk, goldbrick avoid - refrain from doing something; "She refrains from calling her therapist too often"; "He should avoid publishing his wife's war if that is the only way to rid Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction Weapons that are capable of a high order of destruction and/or of being used in such a manner as to destroy large numbers of people. Weapons of mass destruction can be high explosives or nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological weapons, but exclude the means of transporting or . We continue to reserve our sovereign right to take military action against Iraq alone or in a coalition of the willing". Powell says US Pres. Bush and his advisers will analyse carefully the Jan. 27 report to the UN Security Council by chief weapons inspector Hans Blix Hans Martin Blix (born 28 June, 1928 in Uppsala, Sweden) is a Swedish diplomat and politician. He was Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs (1978 - 1979). and will consult closely with other nations before deciding how to proceed. But he says: "[There is] no indication what ever that Iraq has made the strategic decision to come clean and comply with its international obligation to disarm". The US plans "in the days and weeks ahead" to publish more evidence of Iraqi violations. "To those who say 'why not give the inspections process more time?', I ask: 'How much more time does Iraq need to answer those questions?' It is not a matter of time, it is a matter of telling the truth, and Saddam still responds with evasion EVASION. A subtle device to set aside the truth, or escape the punishment of the law; as if a man should tempt another to strike him first, in order that he might have an opportunity of returning the blow with impunity. and lies". Powell combines harsh language against Baghdad with a passionate defence of the US world role, saying it could be trusted to use its political, economic and military power wisely. He says: "We seek nothing for ourselves other than to help bring about security for people that have already suffered far too much". He seeks to play down disagreements with Europe over Iraq - which have been echoed by many business and political leaders in Davos - saying trans-Atlantic differences are not new. He says: "Differences are inevitable. But differences should not be equated with American unilateralism u·ni·lat·er·al·ism n. A tendency of nations to conduct their foreign affairs individualistically, characterized by minimal consultation and involvement with other nations, even their allies. or arrogance". Powell received a standing ovation at the beginning and end of his speech and was repeatedly applauded in the course of it, particularly for his praise of the US record as a trustworthy international partner. But he added: "We will not join a consensus if it compromises our principles. Nor would we expect anyone else to. When we feel strongly, we will lead. We will act even if others are not prepared to join us". |
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