Arab FM's: No facilities for war against Iraq; Kuwaiti reservations
Regional-Iraq, Politics, 2/17/2003

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud had a press conference in Cairo late Sunday marking the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the Arab foreign ministers.

"Iraq, the Palestinian issue and Egypt's call for an emergency Arab summit to protect the Arab national security were the agenda of the event, Hammoud said.

Demonstrations that took to the street all over the globe showed a world concern over peace and an interest in warding off a US-British war on Iraq, he added.

The Lebanese Foreign Minister said we agreed to issue a statement highlighting resolutions adopted by the Arab summit in Beirut including rejection of aggression against any Arab state, urging the UN to shoulder its responsibilities, stressing that Iraq implement UN resolutions and calling on Iraq to cooperate with the inspectors to avert any war pretexts.

Moussa said the participation of Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and the European Union commissioner for foreign affairs Chris Patten is an important coordination step. "Given the serious developments, they wanted to come to discuss the situation," Moussa said.

"The discussions were very serious and the presence of the Europeans is indicative that they are taking the issue seriously," Moussa said.

Asked about military facilities, Moussa said the discussion was quite frank. There was a talk on all issues related to military operations and foreign presence.

"The statement stipulates that any kind of facilities should not be provided and this pare was phrased after a long discussion," he added.

Asked about incorporating the extraordinary summit with the regular one, Moussa said all member states agreed to the need to hold an extraordinary summit. He added that the date of the summit will be fixed within the coming two days.

"The extraordinary part in the summit is that it would hold a special session to tackle the Iraq issue that would be followed by ordinary meetings," Moussa said.

Therefore, it is a special session to see into developments in the Iraqi issue. It is necessary to discuss it (Iraqi issue) in a separate context, he added.

Asked about Arab objections and reservations regarding the final statement, Hammoud said this issue has been addressed and given much attention and views of all Arab states have been taken into consideration.

It was agreed to convey to the media issues addressed and this is what we are doing.

Kuwait showed reservation and it was registered. Except for Kuwait, all the Arab states agreed to the statement, the Lebanese Foreign Minister said.

On providing facilities to a possible attack on Iraq, Moussa said the part on offering facilities in the final statement is quite clear and it affirms that no Arab state should take part in any military operation or facilitate such an act against Iraq.

Moussa denied that some countries walked away from the conference and said some delegations had to return home one hour before the end of the event which is not a withdrawal.

Asked whether the ministers failed to agree on holding an Arab summit, Moussa said the meeting has not been a failure as it carried out a lengthy discussion of the complicated situation.

There is the inspectors' issue and giving them enough time, the situation in the Security Council as well as the aforementioned facilities issue, the Arab League Secretary General said.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Soud Al-Faisal posted the ministers on the outcome of contacts he had and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Al-Sharaa gave an analysis of the situation in the Security Council, he added.

There are many viewpoints and despite the varying stances from one or two countries, the final analysis is that a military strike against any Arab country is unacceptable, Moussa said.

On amendments of the Arab League Charter, Moussa said it was amended in 2000 stipulating that an ordinary summit will be held every year in March and this amendment was ratified by Arab parliaments, cabinets or heads of state.

Asked about practical measures to prevent the Iraq war, Moussa said preparations are underway for an extraordinary Arab summit that would set needed steps for this issue.

Moussa said the meeting is about forming an Arab stance to be conveyed to those concerned and a discussion of threats to the Arab national security.

We talked about threats to the Arab national security and means to prevent a strike on Iraq, the Arab League chief said.

Previous Stories:
  World wide demonstration in protest of attacking Iraq, today   (2/15/2003)
  More diplomats withdrawn, embassies closed in Baghdad   (2/13/2003)
  Arab opposition to war against Iraq escalated   (2/11/2003)

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