This is an important day for us all as we review the situation with respect to Iraq and its disarmament obligations under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441.

"If there is a further Iraqi breach of its disarmament obligations, the matter will return to the Council for discussion as required in Operational Paragraph 12."

UNSC Resolution 1441 was passed unanimously, which offered Iraq "a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations" or face "serious consequences."

Those divisions ultimately thwarted efforts to hold Iraq to its disarmament obligations.

While it is extremely unlikely that the Iraqi dictator will ever comply with his disarmament obligations, he should be given every incentive to do so.

But what if Mr. Hussein finally decides to comply fully with his disarmament obligations?

Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi president, must honor fully and without further delay his long-evaded disarmament obligations.

Until Iraq meets disarmament obligations, by proving that its prohibited biological, chemical, nuclear and missile systems have been destroyed, international sanctions remain in place.

However, the international community is still waiting for Iraq to comply fully with its disarmament obligations, as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions, especially Resolution 1441.

Member states communicated their frustration over the years that Iraq was impeding the work of the special commission and failing to take seriously its disarmament obligations.