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Toronto (Toronto Star) - The United States is heading down a dangerous road that leads away from the United Nations by demanding that Iraq change its president, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said today.
The concept of "regime change," as stated by the White House, is a dangerous one that doesn't fit with United Nations resolution 1441, Chrétien said as he wrapped up a state visit to Mexico.
And he wondered who would be next on the U.S. list of unpopular leaders and where it would all stop.
"If it is a changing of regime, it's not what is 1441," Chrétien said following reports that Washington wants not only disarmament, but also a new president in Iraq.
"And if you start changing regimes, where do you stop?," a charged-up Chrétien asked during a news conference.
"This is the problem, who is next? Give me the list, the priority list."
The idea of removing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from office is not part of UN resolution 1441, which requires Iraq to eliminate any biological, chemical and nuclear weapons in its possession.
Chrétien said the disarmament of Iraq is the key issue.
"The official policy is the disarmament of Saddam Hussein," the prime minister said in French.
"I'm surprised to hear now we want to get rid of Saddam Hussein; it's a change of regime. And as far as I am concerned, I believe these are very severe consequences because of change of regime."
Chrétien's strong statement came in response to a question about remarks made in Washington earlier today by White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.
Asked by a reporter whether U.S. President George W. Bush wants both the disarmament of Iraq and exile for Saddam, Fleischer replied ``it's disarmament and regime change."
The U.S. administration has stated since last year that it wants to see a new leader in Baghdad.
But calls for regime change were toned down after Washington decided last fall to seek UN approval before taking military action against Iraq.
"I'm OK, I only have 11 months to go," Chrétien said, referring to his plans to step down. "But how about somebody else? So this is a very dangerous concept."
The concept of "regime change," as stated by the White House, is a dangerous one that doesn't fit with United Nations resolution 1441, Chrétien said as he wrapped up a state visit to Mexico.
And he wondered who would be next on the U.S. list of unpopular leaders and where it would all stop.
"If it is a changing of regime, it's not what is 1441," Chrétien said following reports that Washington wants not only disarmament, but also a new president in Iraq.
"And if you start changing regimes, where do you stop?," a charged-up Chrétien asked during a news conference.
"This is the problem, who is next? Give me the list, the priority list."
The idea of removing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from office is not part of UN resolution 1441, which requires Iraq to eliminate any biological, chemical and nuclear weapons in its possession.
Chrétien said the disarmament of Iraq is the key issue.
"The official policy is the disarmament of Saddam Hussein," the prime minister said in French.
"I'm surprised to hear now we want to get rid of Saddam Hussein; it's a change of regime. And as far as I am concerned, I believe these are very severe consequences because of change of regime."
Chrétien's strong statement came in response to a question about remarks made in Washington earlier today by White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.
Asked by a reporter whether U.S. President George W. Bush wants both the disarmament of Iraq and exile for Saddam, Fleischer replied ``it's disarmament and regime change."
The U.S. administration has stated since last year that it wants to see a new leader in Baghdad.
But calls for regime change were toned down after Washington decided last fall to seek UN approval before taking military action against Iraq.
"I'm OK, I only have 11 months to go," Chrétien said, referring to his plans to step down. "But how about somebody else? So this is a very dangerous concept."
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