UNSCOM's personnel to leave Baghdad

A diplomatic source in Baghdad said on Wednesday that UNSCOM received instructions from New York to evacuate all its staff working in Baghdad.

AFP said the committee withdrew on Wednesday 90 experts. A number which exceeds what had been estimated. The agency added that three coaches carrying members of the committee, including its spokeswoman Caroline Cross left the committee's headquarters heading for al- Habbaneyeh airport near Baghdad.

Earlier in the day Cross said that ten members of the committee would have left the Iraqi capital on Wednesday after some 15 members left last Saturday and other 5 members left on Monday. This step, however, came amid reports which stated that the US is preparing to strike Iraq in an attempt to force its giving it its decision announced on October 31st in halting co-operation with UNSCOM. US President Bill Clinton gave his instructions to dispatch reinforcements for the US fifth fleets in the Arab Gulf region.