Iraq for open or secret dialogue with Washington

Iraqi Vice-President Tariq Aziz reiterated Iraq's call for the US to maintain direct contacts with Iraq instead of trying to create a new crisis between Iraq and the UN.

In a televised statement to Iraqi TV, Aziz said, "We are ready to maintain direct and open talks, through diplomatic channels or a secret dialogue with Washington."

He added, "We, during recent years, submitted our proposals but they (the US) refused." He accused the US administration of "fabricating a crisis" with Iraq, with the objective of undermining Iraq's sovereignty and interfering in its internal affairs.

On February 23 Aziz signed an accord with the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, permitting a "special group" of diplomats and inspectors of the UN Special Committee in charge of eliminating Iraqi weapons of mass destruction to inspect Iraqi presidential palaces, in which Baghdad had previously refused to allow inspections.