Iraq to all Arab states: we are ready for dialog

Iraqi Deputy Premier Tariq Aziz on Sunday arrived in Rome from Paris in the course of a European tour seeking support for liftings sanctions imposed on Iraq by U.N. resolutions.

In a statement to Monte Carlo radio on Saturday Aziz added, "Our minds as well as hands are open to dialogue and for attaining an understanding with all Arabs with no exception."

He added: "We have recognized Kuwait as a country, accepted border demarcation."

Kuwait has in the past put a set of conditions on restoring relations with Iraq, and has called for the resolution of the Kuwaiti prisoners of war problem, which Iraq accuses Kuwait of using for political reasons.

Concerning relations between Baghdad and the UN, Aziz noted: "What we need is a fair and objective evaluation of what has been achieved" in the field of disarmament. He criticized the "oil for food program" laid by the Americans and the British, MENA reported.

Iraq has been critical of the frustrated by the U.N. lack of recognition