The UN and the US-UK flights over Iraq

In a report issued on Monday, the UN secretary general Kofi Annan said that the UN does not have the technical means nor the necessary information to monitor precisely the US and British planes which violate the Iraqi airspace.

News reports said that Annan explained in the report which covers the period extended from September 22, 2000 to March 27, 2001 that the UN inspection committee can not only embark on assumptions to monitor the planes which fly at high altitude.

Annan added that the number of violations continued from 137 to 143 in comparison with the preceding 6 months and that the US and Britain are strongly persistent to take part in monitoring the two no fly zones.

Annan continued that with the exception of these violations, the UN mission continued to carry out its missions without difficulties and as a result contributed to preserving stability and peace in north and south Iraq and recommended the UN security council to keep this mission which includes more than 1300 soldiers and military observers.

The UN Security Council is expected to discuss this report today.