Kindgo
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Vol XXV NO. 307 Tuesday 21 January 2003
Iraq vows to help UN
BAGHDAD:
Iraq promised UN weapons inspectors more help yesterday, saying it was even forming its own teams to search for banned weapons.
But as Baghadad officials were eager to appear conciliatory, sceptial US and Britain deployed more troops and warned Iraq was on course for war.
President Saddam Hussein's adviser Amir Al Saadi read a joint statement at a news conference in Baghdad with visiting inspection chiefs Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei.
It said Iraq had handed more documents to inspectors, was clarifying others and was forming its own teams to search for suspicious items.
The statement said Iraq would also encourage inspections of "private sites" - an apparent reference to places like the homes of leading scientists - and to "private interviews" - referring to talks between UN inspectors and Iraqi technical experts without the presence of Iraqi government minders.
A cautious Blix said he was "fairly confident" Iraq would honour its pledges. "We have solved a number of practical issues, not all," he said.
"On the substantive issues relating to anthrax, VX (nerve agent) and a number of Scud missiles, we have not discussed that. That is to be discussed some time in the future."
There was no mention in the statement of taking scientists outside Iraq for interviews, as Washington has demanded on the grounds that the interviewees need protection from reprisals.
The statement said Iraq would supplement a list of more than 500 scientists involved in its past banned weapons programmes.
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Arti...e=42124&Sn=WORL
-------------------- God bless, Kindgo
Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the will of God there is no success.
Posts: 4320 | From: Sunny Florida | Registered: Jun 2002
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