Awaiting approval of UN - Iraq agreement
Iraq, International, 2/23/1998

"I have concluded an agreement with Iraq on the issue of the United Nations weapons inspections," UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said. With these words, Annan announced early today the results of his intensive negotiations with Iraqi officials regarding the current crisis over full access to Iraqi sites without preconditions.

Annan's satisfaction was matched by his counterpart in negotiations, Tariq Aziz, the deputy prime minister of Iraq. Aziz emphasized Iraqi concerns that have been expressed all along that "the priority for the Iraqi people and the Iraqi government is an expeditious implementation of paragraph 22 of resolution 687 and the lifting of all sanctions."

With the unfettered access and lack of any time limit that Annan expressed as part of the agreement, two of the US's stated objectives have been met, and Iraqi concerns regarding the speedy removal of the sanctions have been addressed.

Annan said, "When and how soon I cannot say," referring to the lifting of the sanctions, but he added that, "The way we have discussed this problem, our determination to improve cooperation, to enhance the work of UNSCOM, and accelerate the process, we will be seeing light at the end of the tunnel."

Aziz denied that the US military buildup was part of the reason for concluding the agreement, repeating that the US buildup "does not scare us" and that progress was achieved by "the goodwill he [Annan] brought with him" and diplomacy and "not the saber rattling."

Annan said, "Diplomacy backed up by firmness and force" may have been a factor and he said it is hard to tell which elements contributed to making the agreement possible.

Both Annan and Aziz agreed that the agreement was "balanced" and in conformity with UN resolutions in "spirit and intent."

Iraq's Aziz said, "Iraq has no problem with the UN resolutions. The problem is with how they are implemented." Aziz added that the agreement will enable investigators "to reach the truth" and that will serve the purpose of Iraq and the UN, adding "We will work in good faith."

Annan said, "I am hopeful that the council [UN Security Council] will accept it."

Early indications show a positive reaction from most Arab and international leaders. The US president said that he was in touch with British Prime Minister Blair and that he will be in touch with Russian President Boris Yeltsin and French President Jacques Chirac. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs had stated, "France welcomes the announcement made in Baghdad and hopes that this agreement will fulfill the expectations. It expresses once again its full confidence in the action taken by Mr Kofi Annan."

Previous Stories:
  Baghdad to Washington: lets talk   (2/21/1998)
  Elements of the solution to the Iraqi crisis   (2/20/1998)
  Annan's visit may force US hand   (2/19/1998)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search