Statements of Support from Coalition Members
(in alphabetical order)
Afghanistan
“The Muslim people of Afghanistan, who have suffered much
hardship from dictatorial regimes of the last two decades, want
the elimination of despotism by the liberated will of the people
of Iraq... The emergence of a united and independent Iraq, based
on the will of the people, will be helpful to peace and
stability of the region and the world.”
-- Statement by the Government, March 20, 2003
Albania
“We give unreserved support to the efforts by the United States
and we are proud to be alongside our allies in the fight for
liberation of Iraqi people… and [Albania] is also proud to
unconditionally offer our airspace, land and ports to the United
States and other countries taking part in the coalition against
Iraq.”
-- Albanian Prime Minister Nano, March 20, 2003
Australia
“The Government has decided to commit Australian forces to
action to disarm Iraq because we believe it is right, it is
lawful and it's in Australia's national interest. We are
determined to join other countries to deprive Iraq of its
weapons of mass destruction, its chemical and biological
weapons, which even in minute quantities are capable of causing
death and destruction on a mammoth scale.”
-- Prime Minister Howard, March 20, 2003
Azerbaijan
“Azerbaijan is an active participant in the US-led international
anti-terror coalition in all its forms and manifestations...
Azerbaijan supports the efforts of the international coalition
aimed at the speediest resolution of the Iraqi crisis and calls
for respect for the principles of international humanitarian law
during the implementation of the military operation in Iraq...
Azerbaijan is expressing its readiness to take part in the
humanitarian rehabilitation in post-conflict Iraq..”
-- Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, March 21, 2003
Bulgaria
“Iraq refused to disarm as wanted by the international
community, and hence chose to face the ‘serious consequences’...
The weapons of mass destruction that Iraq possesses are a threat
to peace and security... The world community must counter this
threat in a categorical manner.”
-- Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, March 19, 2003
Colombia
“We are part of the coalition, along with countries such as the
U.S., Spain, England... Many of these peoples, such as
Colombians, have withstood terrorism and, like us, they know
that this scourge -- terrorism -- must be made to end so that we
can live peacefully... Fellow countrymen: To request solidarity,
we have to express solidarity.”
-- President Uribe, March 20, 2003
Costa Rica
“We are loyal allies of loyal friends."
-- President Abel Pacheco, March 21, 2003
Czech Republic
“The Government of the Czech Republic states with regret that
the Iraqi leadership has for so long been failing to meet its
obligations... The Government of the Czech Republic views the
operation of coalition forces as the last usable means leading
to the fulfillment of the relevant UN resolutions... The
Government of the Czech Republic reaffirms in this situation
that the Czech Army NBCR battalion, deployed as part of the
Enduring Freedom operation, is ready to take part in emergency
and humanitarian activities in case WMD are used or are
suspected to be used against civilian populations or coalition
forces, as well as to deal with consequences of possible
disasters in the area of its deployment."
-- Statement by the Government of the Czech Republic, March 20,
2003
Denmark
“If on every occasion we allow a ruthless dictator to go free,
because we do not like war, we risk paying a very high price...
That is why we must move into action. We cannot simply stand by
and watch as a ruthless dictator seriously and persistently
violates UN decisions."
-- Prime Minister Rasmussen, March 21, 2003
Dominican Republic
“The Dominican Government is standing beside the people and the
Government of the United States in the present situation of war
with Iraq... No one wants war, no one anywhere in the world
wants war, especially not in the United States, but within the
framework of the policy of being a good neighbor, our closest
friends are, precisely, the Government and people of the United
States.”
-- Government Spokesman Gonzalez Fabra, March 20, 2003
El Salvador
“The Government of El Salvador laments that the negative and
dilatory attitude of Saddam Hussein has brought war to the
people of Iraq... In this regard, the Government of El Salvador
continues to provide its political and diplomatic support to the
coalition headed by the United States and Great Britain as well
as its commitment to provided specialized forces for work in
postwar Iraq.”
-- Statement by the Government of El Salvador, March 19, 2003
“El Salvador is giving diplomatic support (to the United
States) and also is willing to give support in a post-conflict
phase, when a possible war is over, in reconstruction or
de-mining tasks at which we already have experience."
-- Foreign Ministry Communications Director Cesar Martinez,
March 19, 2003
Eritrea
“The decision taken by the Bush Administration to complete an
unfinished job is very much welcome... The task is indeed one of
completing an unfinished job for the sake of the stability and
security of the Middle East and the permanent removal of a
serious threat without losing another opportunity. In this vein,
Eritrea continues to maintain that the necessary measures must
be taken without equivocation.”
-- Statement by the Government of Eritrea, March 12, 2003
Estonia
"We understand the need for disarming Iraq. The world needs to
be convinced that there are no
weapons of mass destruction on Iraqi territory. This is
important for world security. It is deeply regrettable that Iraq
did not make use of the opportunity, which existed, to solve the
problem peacefully... Estonia is ready, based upon the needs of
the situation and its own capabilities, to help regulate the
post-conflict situation and participate in the reconstruction of
Iraq."
-- Statement by the Government of Estonia, March 20, 2003
Georgia
“Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction. As long as such
a regime exists, the world cannot live in peace.”
-- President Eduard Shevardnadze, March 20, 2003
“Georgia, which is now a member of the international
coalition for Iraq's disarmament, is ready to not only provide
political support for the U.S., but also to provide its military
infrastructure to U.S. troops."
-- Georgian Government Representative Shalva Pichkhadze, March
20, 2003
Honduras
[The Government of Honduras] “supports the Government of the
United States of America's war against terrorism and calls on
the Government of Iraq, in order to avoid further suffering by
the Iraqi people, to accept the demands proposed by the United
States of America.”
-- President Maduro, March 18, 2003
Hungary
“I am confident that peace will soon be reinstated in Iraq, the
weapons of mass destruction will be destroyed and on the basis
of this we shall be able to live in a more peaceful and tranquil
world in future. I would also like to add that Hungary would be
pleased to participate in the reconstruction of Iraq.”
-- Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy, March 20, 2003
Iceland
“The United States now considers its security to be gravely
endangered by the actions and attacks of terrorists and because
of various threats from countries governed by dictators and
tyrants. It believes that support from this small country makes
a difference... The declaration issued by the Icelandic
Government on the Iraq dispute says that we intend to maintain
the close cooperation we have had with our powerful ally in the
West.
First of all, this involves flyover authorization for the
Icelandic air control area. Secondly, the use of Keflavik
Airport, if necessary. In third place, we will take part in the
reconstruction of Iraq after the war ends. Fourthly, we
expressed political support for Resolution 1441 being enforced
after four months of delays."
-- Prime Minister Oddsson, March 18, 2003
Italy
“The game is in play between those who historically have been
committed to the liberty of men and those who have transformed
their country into a chamber of torture.”
-- Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, March 19, 2003
Japan
“From the time of the terrorist attacks on America on September
11, 2001, until last year's UN Resolution 1441, there has been a
strong consciousness of the threat of weapons of mass
destruction, not only against the American people, but also
against the rest of the world, including the Japanese people.
How to rid the world of such weapons of mass destruction is now
a major challenge for the international community and will
continue to be in the future. President Bush has said that the
U.S. is seeking to disarm Iraq and to liberate the Iraqi people.
I agree with that strategy. Japan, too, supports the policy
course of President Bush.”
-- Prime Minister Koizumi, March 20, 2003
Latvia
“The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia has taken the decision
‘On the Support of the Implementation of the UN Security Council
Resolution Nr 1441’ pledging support to and readiness to join
the efforts of the international coalition aiming at disarmament
of Iraq. We support the military forces of our coalition
partners who, in risking their lives, are averting threats to
peace and international security.”
-- Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, March 20, 2003
Lithuania
"Lithuania's possible contribution to the settlement of the Iraq
crisis will be not military but humanitarian participation,
aimed at dealing with adverse consequences, by sending doctors,
servicing staff and other specialists, as well as by
participating in international programs aimed at helping the
Iraqi people, including food aid."
-- President Rolandas Paksas, Letter to President George Bush,
March 19, 2003
Macedonia
“As a peace-loving member of the community of democratic
nations, Macedonia did not want this war, but the regime of
Hussein, despite the commitment of the international community
did not leave any option but to be disarmed by force... I would
like to take this opportunity to express the support of
Macedonia, to the troops of the United States, the United
Kingdom and other coalition forces who have put themselves in
harm in order to accomplish the crucial task of disarming the
regime of Saddam Hussein and bringing democracy to the
long-oppressed people of Iraq.”
-- President Trajkovski, March 20, 2003
Mongolia
“The Iraqi regime has been highly reluctant to implement the
successive resolutions of the United Nations Security Council
and unable to prove to the international community that it has
fully destroyed its weapons of mass destruction. Thus it failed
to fully meet its obligations vis-a-vis the United Nations. This
is where, as we see it, lies the main reason for the emergence
of the crisis situation in the region.”
-- Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, March 18, 2003
Netherlands
“Peace is vulnerable. That is shown when a regime chooses for
years the path of threat and terror. The international community
must then patiently abide by international agreements and thus
try to dispel the threat. That patience can be very great but
not endless. Because then the basis of law and peace is itself
jeopardized. Saddam Hussein is a great danger to law and peace.
Virtually all the countries in the world are in agreement on
that... he takes no notice of the agreements which the
international community has made time after time with him...
Hence the Netherlands gives political support to the action
against Saddam Hussein which has been started... The action is
now getting under way. But, hopefully, a time will very quickly
come when the weapons will fall silent. Then we will have to do
everything in our power to help the people in Iraq with their
country's reconstruction.”
-- Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, March 20, 2003
Nicaragua
“The position of our ambassador to the UN has been clearly in
support of Security Council Resolution 1441, which calls for
disarming the Iraqi regime, even through the use of force, as
the resolution clearly states. Peace and the peaceful
coexistence of the free peoples of the world are now threatened
by the widespread global scourge of terrorism. That is why
Nicaragua has been a firm ally of the United States in its fight
against terrorism... we cannot ignore threats from those who,
sheltered by military dictatorships and the oppression of their
peoples, jeopardize international security and world peace.”
-- President Bolaños, March 20, 2003
Panama
“My government understands your decision to grant to the Iraqi
people the chance to enjoy democracy, peace and respect for
human rights.”
-- President Moscoso, March 17, 2003
Philippines
“The Philippines is part of the coalition of the willing... We
are giving political and moral support for actions to rid Iraq
of weapons of mass destruction. We are part of a long-standing
security alliance. We are part of the global coalition against
terrorism.”
-- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, March 19, 2003
“We share deeply the values being fought for over Iraq, no
less than the values of freedom and civilization... We reject
the notion that the Philippines should sit on the fence and do
nothing in the face of the crisis in Iraq.”
-- Foreign Secretary Ople, March 18, 2003
Poland
“We are ready to use a Polish contingent in the international
coalition to contribute to making Iraq comply with the U.N.
resolutions... It’s clear that the problem of existing weapons
of mass destruction in Iraq is a fact.”
-- President Kwasniewski, March 17, 2003
Portugal
“The responsibility falls exclusively on the Iraqi regime and
its obstinacy in not complying with the resolutions of the
United Nations for the last 12 years... On this difficult hour,
Portugal reaffirms its support to his Allies, with whom it
shares the values of Liberty and Democracy, and hopes that this
operation will be as short as possible and that it will
accomplish all its objectives.”
-- Prime Minister José Manuel Durão Barroso, March 20, 2003
Romania
“We have already made a decision. The decision made by us is
valid, it is in effect, we have responded to a demand coming
from the United States and this does not mean that we get
involved in a military conflict but the assistance which we
grant to our allies.”
-- President Ion Iliescu, March 19, 2003
“Romania has interests and responsibilities in Iraq. We
intend to bring our contribution to providing human assistance
and to the reconstruction process in this country, including the
reconstruction of the Iraqi society, economy and democracy.”
-- Prime Minister Nastase, March 17, 2003
Rwanda
“They should act when they are right to act because the Security
Council can be wrong. It was wrong in Rwanda... You might avoid
war and have a worse situation... That is why I was giving a
comparison with our case. People avoided a war or doing very
much and it ended up with a genocide.”
-- President Paul Kagame, March 8, 2003
Singapore
“Singapore is a member of the ‘coalition for the immediate
disarmament of Iraq’... Singapore has a memorandum of
understanding with the US which was signed in 1990 whereby we
allow US aircraft to over fly Singapore and we allow US military
assets, ships and aircraft to call at Singapore... It is a
matter of grave concern that the Iraqi people do not suffer, and
if any measures can be taken to alleviate their suffering,
Singapore will do its part.”
-- Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan
Slovakia
“In Iraq today one has to prevent further threats for mankind,
to ensure more hope for peace and to terminate the death cult at
the stage when it can still be stopped.... Thus our government
has been standing side by side with the United States.”
-- Prime Minister Dzurinda, March 20, 2003
South Korea
“Just a short while ago, I called a meeting of the National
Security Council and reaffirmed the position of our Government
to support the measure taken by the international community,
including the United States. At a time when diplomatic efforts
have failed to resolve the Iraqi problem peacefully, I believe
that the action is inevitable to quickly remove weapons of mass
destruction. Koreans tend to join forces when things get tough.
The challenges lying before us may be tough, but we have ample
potential to tackle them.”
-- President Roh, March 20, 2003
Spain
“Right up until the end, the Iraqi regime defied international
law by ignoring its obligations to disarm... it threw away its
last chance... With a full sense of our responsibilities, the
government of this nation supports the re-establishment of
international law so that conditions for peace and security
prevail.”
-- President Jose Maria Aznar, March 20, 2003
Turkey
“You should know that the fact that we opened Turkey's airspace
to US... is aimed at protecting our state's relations with its
allies, adopting measures to ensure our security against
possible developments, bringing about a speedy end to the war,
instituting postwar peace, protecting Iraq's integrity, and
averting acts of provocation that will affect the entire region
as well as our country.”
-- Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, March 21, 2003
Uganda
"The cabinet sitting under the chairmanship of HE Yoweri
Museveni, the president of Uganda, on 21 March 2003, decided to
support the US-led coalition to disarm Iraq by force. The
cabinet also decided that if need arises, Uganda will assist in
any way possible."
-- Minister of Foreign Affairs James Wapakhabulo, March 24, 2003
United Kingdom
"If the only means of achieving the disarmament of Iraq of
weapons of mass destruction is the removal of the regime, then
the removal of the regime has to be our objective. It is
important that we realize that we have come to this position
because we have given every opportunity for Saddam voluntarily
to disarm, that the will - not just of this country but of the
United Nations - now has to be upheld."
-- Prime Minister Tony Blair, March 20, 2003
United States
“We come to Iraq with respect for its citizens, for their great
civilization and for the religious faiths they practice. We have
no ambition in Iraq, except to remove a threat and restore
control of that country to its own people.”
-- President George Bush, March 19, 2003
Uzbekistan
"We unambiguously support the position of the United States to
resolve the Iraqi problem... If this genie is let out of the
bottle, it won't be possible to put it back. It's necessary to
take the most coordinated measures to make sure that the genie
isn't out of the bottle....The global community has no right to
play with this situation for the sake of its future. I believe
the U.S. has grounds for the stance it has assumed, and
therefore radical measures need to be taken."
-- President Islam Karimov, March 7, 2003