Egypt, UAE refuse to receive Ricciardone
Iraq-Regional-USA, Politics, 4/29/1999

US diplomat Frank Ricciardone, who is in charge of coordinating contacts between Washington and the Iraqi opposition, leaves London today to visit Turkey, Jordan and Kuwait.

Well-informed Iraqi sources in London said that Egypt and the UAE refused to receive Ricciardone.

The Iraqi sources stated that Cairo refused to respond to an American request to host the meeting of the national assembly of the "united Iraqi national conference," expected to be held in July, during which a presidency for the conference's executive council will be elected.

The UAE continues to call for finding a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis and lifting the sanctions imposed on the Iraq.

It was noted that Ricciardone, who accompanied US Defence Secretary William Cohen in his recent tour on the region, did not accompany him in his visit to Cairo. Cairo, for its part, repeats its refusal "to interfere in Iraq's affairs" and consider that any change in Iraq is the responsibility of the Iraqi people.

Meanwhile, well-informed sources in Iran said, "Iran seeks to maintain an alliance between the Shiite and the Kurds in Iraq to face any possibility."

The sources continued that Iran is making efforts to sign an agreement between the chairman of the Higher Council for the Islamic Revolution, Muhammad Baqer Hakim, and the Secretary general of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Jalal Talibani, who visited the Iranian capital and tries to "convince al-Hakim to give up hesitation towards joining the activities of the conference," following the election of the provisional presidency.

The council's representative in London, Hamid al-Bayati, was elected as a member in this presidency despite his absence and the council's reservations about the London meetings.

Previous Stories:
  Indyk: peace process indicators mixed   (4/24/1999)
  Abdul Meguid and al-Dakhil discuss Iraq's demands   (3/17/1999)
  US for a peace-loving Iraq   (3/2/1999)

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