The Irish and British Governments appeared united last night as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, and his opposite number in Britain, Mr Jack Straw, demanded Iraqi compliance with UN resolutions on weapons of mass destruction.
Speaking after talks in London, Mr Cowen confirmed the Government's support for "a uniquely legitimate and united resolution" from the UN Security Council setting the terms for the return of weapons inspectors to Iraq.
As the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Straw, hinted that a new UN Security Council resolution might not come now until after the American Congressional elections on November 5th, Mr Cowen said such a resolution must provide "confirmation of the resolve of the Security Council to confront the threat to international peace and security as represented by the continuing defiance of the Iraqi regime to successive UN resolutions in relation to disarmament."
Mr Cowen said the resolution - still the subject of tough ongoing negotiations between the five permanent members of the Security Council - must establish that Iraq was "in material breach" and "set out for the inspectors a clear mandate that will ensure that they do their business in an unfettered way and with integrity".
At the press conference at Mr Straw's official residence, Mr Cowen seemed to allow for possible Irish divergence from the Anglo-American approach to a new UN resolution, saying that in the event of the inspectors being denied unfettered access they would have to "return to the Security Council" which would then have to "take whatever decisions are necessary".
However 10 Downing Street appeared relaxed about this, a spokesman insisting Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair remained "open-minded" about whether the Security Council should proceed by way of one or two resolutions. The only absolute, he added, was that a first resolution setting the terms for the return of weapons inspectors "must make it clear that he [Saddam Hussein] will have to face consequences" if he fails to comply.
The British government was happy with Mr Cowen's insistence that - while force was seen by Dublin as "a matter of last resort" - it would be for the international community to "ensure that there is compliance". Downing Street also dismissed suggestions of any difference with the Foreign Office after Mr Straw conceded a new UN resolution might take weeks.
Whitehall apparently takes the view that if the terms of a resolution cannot be agreed by this weekend, it will in all probability be delayed until after the Congressional elections on November 5th.
Mr Cowen and Mr Straw also discussed the conclusion of last week's EU summit, EU enlargement and the interim proposals on the future of the EU's institutions.