US: Iraqi responce is unacceptable
Iraq, Politics, 11/14/1998

US National Security Advisor Sandy Berger said that the Iraqi response is "neither unequivocal, nor unconditional, it is unacceptable."

He referred to the Iraqi response that was sent as a letter with two pages that listed many Iraqi issues as "an addendum filled with conditions." The US had requested an "unconditional" return of the UN special commission in charge of inspections of Iraqi weapons sites. Kofi Annan, the UN Security General had said that these are not conditions, with Iraqi ambassador at the UN adding that the addendum is not a condition.

Berger said that if the Iraqi conditions are accepted, without clarifications, "given his long history of avoiding obligations" then "we will only set a new crisis in a few weeks."

Berger said "we don't consider the letter responsive to our concern." There has to be a clear unequivocal response, instead of this document that has "more wholes than Swiss Cheese."

He added "we will be consulting with our allies for next steps" as the US president changes plans and decides to refrain from the planned Malaysia trip.
Iraq replied to the US statement about an hour later. The Iraqi ambassador to the UN Nizar Hamdoon said the addendum "is not linked with the letter" adding the letter was "unconditional" and "unequivocal" in its acceptance of the US conditions. Hamdoon who met with the head of the UN Security Council said he told him of the Iraqi position and "my (verbal) statement is binding on the state of Iraq," and as for a written reply, he said "I don't think it is nessecary."
About two hours later (8 pm), Hamdoon put this position at the request of the Security Council into writing saying that "this annex was not connected to the decision of Iraq" to cooperate with the UN, meaning that it does not constitute a condition by Iraq. He added that this annex relates to Iraqi views and wishes on sanctions reviews that Iraq has been seeking.

The Security Council with the US chairing it, finished its meeting at 11:30 pm without a conclusion except to meet again tomorrow at 3:30pm.
Noteworthy is that China's ambassador at the UN Qiu Huasun said "we believe that UNSCOM and the IAEA should resume its work immediatly."

Previous Stories:
  Saudi Arabia: no facilities for the Americans   (11/14/1998)
  Egyptian, Arab diplomatic sources warn of serious outcomes of striking Iraq   (11/14/1998)

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