Iraq welcomes talks with weapon's head inspector Blix
Iraq, Politics, 8/3/2002

The Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri sent a message to the secretary general of the Arab League in which he expressed Iraq's welcome to receive Hans Blix, the Executive Chairman of the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), and his experts in order to discuss suspended issues in the area of dismantling weapons and to maintain an agreement on means of dealing with them.

Sabri expressed the need of finding out common ground for the practical and scientific methods to deal with what the UN inspection finds appropriate concerning pending issues.

Sabri's message which was welcomed by Annan who said he will hold consultations with members of the UN Security Council in order to listen to their reactions on the Iraqi invitation next Monday. The spokesman for the UN said that Annan explained the conditions, set by Iraq to hold the talks with Blix, differ from the UN Security Council to this effect.

Russia welcomed the Iraqi initiative, and found in it as an important step in the road to solving the issue by political and diplomatic means, rather than militarily, in the context of implementing UN Security Council resolutions concerned.

The Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Sultanov stressed the need of continued dialogue between Baghdad and the UN in order to eliminate arising differences.

Also Turkey welcomed the Iraqi initiative, while France and Germany said they are not ready to take part in any American military operation against Iraq without the authorization of the UN Security Council.

Similarly the Italian defense minister stressed there is no evidence on Iraq's bad intention. He stressed that his country is persistent to have such evidence before discussing the possibility of its participation in a military operation against this country.

Meantime, the Australia's prime minister said his country studies the possibility of taking part in the American possible attack against Iraq. Australia's stand comes in the course of its efforts to foster relations with Washington since the prime minister assumed power six years ago.

Previous Stories:
  Kuwat: we are ready to face likely developments   (8/2/2002)
  Iraq abstains from celebrating Kuwait invasion anniversary   (8/2/2002)
  Iraq for resuming talks with UN   (8/2/2002)

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