World leaders are saying about Annan's visit
Iraq, International, 2/20/1998

Thursday saw a continuing flurry of diplomatic activity surrounding the Iraqi crisis and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan visit to Baghdad. Annan's talks are considered to be the last chance to come to a diplomatic solution to the crisis before the US makes good on its threats to take military action against Iraq.

French President Jacques Chirac and US President Bill Clinton, in a telephone call on Thursday, said Annan's visit to Baghdad is the decisive effort to settle the crisis with Iraq diplomatically. At a time when Arab and international views maintain hopes of a diplomatic solution for the crisis, the US army said it will use a new system of satellites to make the possible US bombardment on Iraq more precise and safer for the US pilots.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Foreign Minister Muhammad Saeed al-Sahaf welcomed the UN chief's visit adding, "We would react positively to this visit in order to reach a balanced solution."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday spoke on the telephone with Annan during which he stressed the need to be persistent with Iraq on permitting UN inspection team into Iraqi Presidential palaces.

British Cabinet sources said at the same time, Blair voiced support for Annan's mission. China, meanwhile, reiterated support for the visit of the UN Secretary General aimed at ending the Iraqi crisis.

Spain's Foreign minister said on Thursday that his country will not send forces to the Arab Gulf and said Spanish military bases will not be used for striking Iraq. To this end, the Spanish Prime Minister said that Spain backs a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

In a telephone call, presidents of France and Brazil on Thursday agreed that it is still possible to arrive at a diplomatic solution to the Iraqi crisis. France expressed hope that Annan's visit to Baghdad will lead to a diplomatic and peaceful settlement to the crisis. The deputy spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that his country supports Annan's mission because it is an important and substantial one.

He said the settlement Annan has to reach should combine together Iraq's sovereignty and respect of UN resolutions. The French spokesman said the majority of world's officials are hopeful a diplomatic solution through Annan's visit can be reached.

Previous Stories:
  Annan's visit may force US hand   (2/19/1998)
  Clinton rallies domestic support for strike at Iraq   (2/17/1998)
  Iraq's Sahaf reiterates Iraqi inspection proposal   (2/14/1998)

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