El-Baz: Baghdad ready to cooperate

Egyptian presidential advisor Osama El-Baz said that he opposes any military strike against Iraq, expressing his hope that diplomatic efforts will solve this crisis, despite the withdrawal of large numbers of UN employees from Iraq.

After his meeting with Ahmed Qurei the head of the Palestinian Legislative Council, and the Egyptian ambassador to Israel Mohamed Bassiouni, El-Baz said Iraq is ready to cooperate with UN Secreatray-General Kofi Annan, whose visit to Iraq is likely the last step in the peaceful efforts to resolve the crisis.

El-Baz added that Annan obtained the support the UN Security Council's members, and that this authorization coincided with Iraqi acceptance to allow inspections within a framework that allows for a diplomatic supervisor for the UN inspection team.

El-Baz said there is some evidence of the Iraqi stance's flexibility in this crisis, stating that there is a good readiness from Baghdad to cooperate with Annan's visit to Iraq.