A rchive Date
[ 11-02-2003 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Iraq ]
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[http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2003/02/01/19221-ap.html
Iraq claims full co-operation
Sun, February 2, 2003
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Iraq's UN ambassador said Sunday he will ask to speak to the Security Council after U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell presents what the United States says will be new evidence of Iraq's weapons programs and links to al-Qaida.
Ambassador Mohammed Al-Douri said the Iraqi government has decided against sending a high-ranking official to respond to Powell. But he said he will make a formal request Monday to the council president, Germany's UN Ambassador Gunter Pleuger, to speak after Powell's address Wednesday.
"We will assert our position that we have no link with al-Qaida, whatever Mr. Colin Powell says," Al-Douri said. "We will also assert our position to be fully co-operative with the inspectors, and we will state that the meeting on Feb. 8-9 (with top weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Mohammed ElBaradei will produce positive results."
There had been speculation in diplomatic circles that Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz might attend. "It has been decided they will not send anyone, so I will represent the country," Al-Douri told The Associated Press. "I will ask to speak."
The United States requested the meeting so Powell can unveil newly declassified intelligence. The Bush administration hopes the information will convince reluctant council members that UN inspections are not working because of continued Iraqi defiance - a finding that could pave the way for military action.
The United States faces an uphill struggle to get council support for a quick war against Iraq. Despite critical reports from top UN inspectors and President George W. Bush laying out his case against Saddam Hussein during his state of the union address, 11 of the 15 council members said last week they favoured continued inspections and efforts to disarm Iraq peacefully.
Al-Douri said his response will depend on what Powell and other council members have to say. From media reports, the ambassador said: "We don't think he will present something spectacular."
Powell's address will take place three days before top weapons inspectors Blix and ElBaradei return to Baghdad at the invitation of the government. Their next report to the Security Council on the progress of inspections and Iraq's co-operation is due Feb. 14, and likely will play a crucial role in the council's decision on the next steps in Iraq.
In Baghdad, Iraq's chief liaison with the inspectors, Maj.-Gen. Hossam Mohamed Amin, said Sunday the government is "keen to resolve any pending issues" and indicated that Iraq may have compromise proposals on hand for the talks with the UN inspection chiefs.
 World Fact Book (CIA)]
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