Iraq VP Sends U.S. Harsh Warning
By DUSAN STOJANOVIC
Associated Press Writer
AP/Ali Haider [21K]
NOVEMBER 01, 17:06 ET
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — Saddam Hussein's deputy warned Americans on Friday they would be ``sent to hell'' if they attack Iraq.
Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan also called on the U.N. Security Council to prevent the United States from pushing through a tougher resolution about Iraq's weapons programs, seen by critics as an automatic green light to attack.
``The aggressors will be sent to hell if they attack Iraq,'' Ramadan told reporters.
He called on Russia, China and France, all three veto-holding Security Council members, to reject the U.S.-sponsored draft resolution that threatens Iraq with ``serious consequences'' if it does not allow U.N. weapons inspectors unhindered work when they return to Iraq.
``There is no need for a new resolution,'' Ramadan said, ``but the U.S. administration is exerting economic and political pressure in order to force some countries to bow to the U.S. demands.''
The United States does not want the inspectors to return, Ramadan said. Instead, ``It wants either that Iraq refuses the formula proposed by the U.S. administration so it can say that Iraq is not complying with U.N. resolutions, or that the inspectors come with obstacles that prevent them from performing their job properly.''
The Bush administration wants the Council to support a resolution that strengthens inspections, warns Iraq of ``serious consequences'' if it fails to cooperate, and declares that Iraq is still in ``material breach'' of its obligations to get rid of its nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs.
The administration said it was working on a new version of its resolution, but it wasn't clear whether it would address Russian, French and Chinese opposition to language they believe could trigger U.S. military action against Baghdad. |
