Iraq's FM meets Moussa, pleads for Arab help to lift sanctions
Iraq-Egypt, Politics, 4/20/1998

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa announced that his talks with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahaf tackled the developments of the situation in Iraq within the United Nations' resolutions and the works of the UN inspection committee in addition to Arab relations and the general situation in the region.

Sahaf said the oral message he delivered to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was about the agreements between Iraq and the UN and Iraq's view towards lifting the UN imposed economic sanctions on Iraq.

Sahaf pointed out that these talks were a continuation of what was presented to President Mubarak concerning the work between Iraq and UN's weapons inspection committee and the need to put an end for this committee's work. Sahaf said that Iraq's understanding is that the inspections of the presidential sites should be carried out expeditiously, and this means that there is not endless time for the committee to finish its work.

Concerning the question about Egypt's efforts to lift the sanctions, Moussa said Egypt believes the decision to impose sanctions on Iraq cannot last forever, and the current progress took place on the basis of the agreement reached between Iraq and the United Nations to open the way towards greater possibilities.

Concerning the reconciliation steps Iraq has to take toward the Arab nation and Kuwait to end this crisis, especially regarding the issues of Kuwaiti captives, Sahaf said the Iraqi people are being punished unjustly through the sanctions imposed upon them years ago, pointing out that Iraq has abided by all the UN Security Council resolutions and their implemented the entire essential requirement of these resolutions. Then Sahaf pleaded that all Arab states support Iraq in its demand to lift the sanctions.

Concerning Egypt's participating in the international conference to be held in London for discussing Iraqi social problems as a result of the sanctions, Moussa said that Egypt would not participate in this conference because it did not receive an invitation.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt for lifting UN sanctions imposed on Iraq   (4/20/1998)
  Iraq's Sahaf to attend Security Council session   (4/17/1998)
  Religious leaders in Egypt organize donations to Iraqi children   (4/3/1998)

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