UN top inspector: We never asserted Iraq had any remaining weapons of mass destruction
Iraq-UN, Politics, 3/19/2003

Speaking on the day the last United Nations weapons monitors were withdrawn from Iraq, the top inspector, Hans Blix, yesterday said he feels the inspections should not have been stopped at this stage.

"I don't think it is reasonable to close the door to inspections after three and a half months," Blix, Executive Chairman of the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), said in answer to questions during a briefing of the UN Correspondents Association in New York. He added that he did not think Security Council resolution 1441, adopted in November, foresaw such a short inspection time.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan ordered the withdrawal of all UN personnel, including UNMOVIC inspectors, after receiving information from the United Kingdom and United States regarding the continued safety and security of UN personnel in Iraq.

Blix, who is to discuss a work plan of remaining disarmament issues today at the Security Council, also said the inspectors had never asserted that Iraq had any remaining weapons of mass destruction, only that there were a lot of things unaccounted for.

This comes as statements made by US Secretary of State Colin Powell revealed that the US knew that a second UN Security Council Resolution was needed for any military action against Iraq, making the US aware that any military action against Iraq are illegal.

Previous Stories:
  Official evidence the US acting in violation of international law   (3/18/2003)
  UN Security Council to discuss key Iraqi disarmament goals   (3/18/2003)
  Annan to withdraw UN staff from Iraq   (3/18/2003)
  Bush gives Saddam Hussein and sons 48 hours to leave Iraq   (3/18/2003)
  Al-Watan: Saddam Hussein's new peace initiative   (3/18/2003)
  Security Council plans talks on Iraq for Monday to discuss joint text by France, Germany, Russia   (3/17/2003)

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