Blix says more inspections preferable to war
Sunday, February 9, 2003
sfgate.com
Chief U.N. inspector Hans Blix said he saw what he termed the beginning of Iraqi understanding that it must seriously observe United Nations demands for disarmament. He said he believed further inspections were preferable to a quick U.S.-led military strike.
"I perceive a beginning," Blix said. "Breakthrough is a strong word for what we are seeing." But he added: "I would much rather see inspections than some other solution," referrring to Washington's threats to launch a military strike.
"I hope I have seen a beginning of taking these remaining disarmament issues seriously," Blix told reporters after two days of talks in Baghdad.
Blix said he had received assurances that Iraq would expand a commission to search for weapons and weapons programs and "relevant documents nationwide."
But Blix said he and U.N. nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei did not win agreement on using American U-2 surveillance planes to assist with the inspections.
ElBaradei said he expected the U.N. Security Council to give the inspectors more time "as long as we are registering good progress."
"The ball is very much in Iraq's court," Elbardei said.
But ElBaradei added: "I would say I'm seeing the beginning of a change of heart for Iraq."
ElBaradei said Iraq's cooperation must be "simultaneous in all areas" of the inspection process.
"We made it clear to Iraq they need to move on the whole file," meaning all types of weapons of mass destruction.
ElBaradei said he felt, however, that he and Blix had "good technical meetings" during their two days in Baghdad.
Blix said he welcomed the Iraqi decision to expand the commission to hunt for proscribed weapons.
During the two days of meetings, the Iraqis submitted a number of documents which are still being evaluated. Blix said they related to outstanding issues of anthrax, VX nerve gas and Iraqi missile development.
He said those documents would have to be reviewed intensively by U.N. experts in the coming days to determine their value.
Blix also said he hoped Iraq would soon enact legislation banning weapons of mass destruction.
Meanwhile, U.N. inspectors found another empty chemcial rocket warhead at an ammunition depot north of Baghdad. Inspectors have found nearly 20 such warheads during inspections over recent weeks although none have been loaded with chemical agents.
On the issue of U-2 flights, Blix said he expected the Iraqis to respond by Friday. They have refused to accept the spy flights unless the United States and Britain suspend air patrols in the "no-fly" zones while the U-2 is aloft.
Blix and ElBaradei are to make their next report to the U.N. Security Council on Friday. Their report is expected to be pivotal in determing whether the United States launches military action to disarm Iraq.
"I think we are leaving with a sense of cautious optimism," Elbaradei said. "I see a good beginning and would like to see much more in the coming weeks."
Blix added: "The proof of the pudding is in the eating." |
