US Pentagon: Iraqi problem is UN issue
Iraq-UN, Politics, 8/13/1998

Prakash Shah, the representative of the secretary general of the United Nations Kofi Annan, is arriving today at Baghdad, carrying a strict message from Annan that asks the Iraqi leadership to resume cooperation with UNSCOM inspection teams.

After Annan's statement that Iraq violated UN Security Council resolutions as was determined by last week's Security Council meeting, Baghdad escalated its rhetoric against Richard Butler who serves as the head of the UN group in charge of disarming Iraq of mass destruction weapons.

In past and recent statement that has come to express Iraqi frustrations with the slow progress of the UN team's pace and the adversarial relation with the team's leader, Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahaf had accused Butler of implementing an American-leaning policy against Iraq as well as of spying for U.S. intelligence. He said that Butler is implementing a conspiracy spearheaded by the U.S to continue sanctions against Iraq.

Al-Sahaf said he was astonished that Butler defended the US position of obstructing the closing of the nuclear investigation file and starting permanent monitoring as was supposed to have happened since Iraq was found compliant in that area of disarmament by the relevant inspection committee.

Commenting today about the UN official's trip to Iraq, U.S. Pentagon spokesman Kenneth Bacon said, "This is an issue for the UN to resolve." The UN "has to decide how to enforce the agreement" Annan negotiated with Iraq.

Bacon sounded less confrontational with Iraq as opposed to the stronger positions adopted in previous confrontations when Iraq decided not to cooperate with the UN inspectors. Bacon said "We have 20,000 people in the Gulf" and "our force is significant and highly ready," Bacon said and they have the right to defend themselves.

Bacon described the negotiations by the UN envoy in Iraq as an issue that reflects on the integrity of the agreement signed with Iraq and whether or not President Saddam Hussein is going to allow the UN inspectors to do their job. He added that this is a "UN Security Council decision" and " it is highly unlikely" that the Security Council will say that it is satisfied with Iraqi compliance.

It is unclear if the UN representative's visit to Iraq will encourage Iraqi cooperation by offering Iraq concrete proposals in line with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's statement last week to "more closely engage the Iraqis" or whether Iraq will be offered an ultimatum, a scenario that experts say is less likely considering that Annan brokered the last showdown between the US and Iraq that almost brought about military action.

Meanwhile, The head of the Iraqi National Council, Saadoun Hamadi, stated that Baghdad has implemented all its international commitments and removed all weapons of mass destruction. Hamadi accused the US President Bill Clinton of searching for a new crisis with Iraq to cover his sexual indiscretions.

Previous Stories:
  A message from UN chief to Iraq   (8/12/1998)
  Abdul Meguid: Butler exceeded his authority in Iraq   (8/10/1998)
  Iraq: We have no more patience with the sanctions   (8/6/1998)

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