Iraq refuses to receive UN human rights mission

Iraq refused yesterday to allow the UN's special rapporteur on human rights into Iraq to investigate allegations concerning the human rights in Iraq.

Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Nizar Hamdoun said that Iraq is ready to receive someone other than Max van der Stoel, saying, "He visited Iraq, yet his behavior and dealing with Iraq proved his bias and lack of objectivity."

Hamdoun added, "Iraq will take care of the human rights issue, and it does not wait for anybody to improve the relation with the Iraqis," adding that Iraq is "free of any weapons of mass destruction and that all statements by the USA are allegations aimed at terminating the Iraqi people and government."