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The text of yesterday's speech by the Foreign Secretary Robin Cook is now available at the FCO web-site: www.fco.gov.uk The speech (Human Rights: A priority of Britain's foreign policy) uses the word 'Iraq' once (in relation to Richard Scott and the arms to Iraq affair). Significantly, the word 'ethical' does not appear. The new words are 'human rights.' Concerning humanitarian intervention Mr Cook, apparently unaware of the irony of his remarks, stated that: 'when faced with an overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe and a government that has demonstrated itself unwilling or unable to halt or prevent it, the international community should act.' Anyway here's the Telegraph's report on the speech. Letters should be sent to dtletters@telegraph.co.uk. Gabriel voices uk Daily Telegraph ISSUE 2134 Thursday 29 March 2001 Cook defends Britain's 'ethical' foreign policy By Anton La Guardia, Diplomatic Editor THE Government mounted a defence of its "ethical" foreign policy yesterday, saying human rights were not just a question of morality but one of British national interest. Robin Cook, the Foreign Secretary, said the government's military intervention in Sierra Leone and Kosovo, its support for a permanent international criminal court and its greater openness on arms exports highlighted its commitment to human rights. Speaking at the event at which four years ago he first set out his vision of an "ethical dimension" to British policy - a phrase that has repeatedly plagued him - the Foreign Secretary signalled that Labour would press harder on human rights issues if it won a second term. There was no conflict between democratic principles and national interest, he declared. "I would robustly argue that the British national interest is promoted, not hindered by a commitment to human rights," Mr Cook told a gathering of diplomats and aid workers. Mr Cook said the key question was to decide when to intervene in internal conflicts. "Governments which are democratically accountable will be more reliable partners for peace." -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq For removal from list, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk Full details of CASI's various lists can be found on the CASI website: http://www.casi.org.uk