Iraq to open new sites, Arab solution sought
Iraq, Politics, 2/3/1998

Russian news agency Inter-Fax said Monday that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Viktor Posovaluk has discussed with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein the question of eliminating barriers before inspecting other sites in Iraq during their meeting today.

The agency added that President Hussein told Posovaluk of his approval to open 8 new sites to the UN inspection committee and to meet with UNSCOM chief Richard Butler.

Inter-fax quoted the spokesman for the Kremlin, Serge Yastrojimski, as saying that Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov has informed President Boris Yeltsin of the new developments. Etar-Tass said President Yeltsin might discuss these developments today with leaders of the UN Security Council permanent member states.

These efforts were not confirmed officially by the Russians after doubts about the accuracy of the report circulated. The Russian envoy in Iraq continues negotiations and indications are that progress is being made, but no specifics are available at this time.

In her continued efforts to seek support from Arab States, US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will be in Egypt shortly, where Egyptian president has been in talks with several Arab leaders discussing the current crisis. President Mubarak talked to Jordan's king Hussein, and both stressed the need for diplomacy.

Previous Stories:
  Iraq to open new sites, Arab solution sought   (2/3/1998)
  US to convince allies on Iraq   (1/30/1998)
  Iraq: Crisis is made up   (1/29/1998)

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