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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (44528)	9/16/2002 8:34:17 PM
From: greenspirit	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

I wonder how many satellites and spy planes we have poised over Iraq looking in every nook and cranny for unusual movements? My guess is we have a reasonable idea where suspected items are hiding, and will filter this knowledge to U.N. inspectors. My instinct also tells me Saddam stalls will be minor, sensing how willing Bush is to find an excuse to move in. In this report Annan gives Bush credit for creating the "urgency to change" Iraq's position. Also notice the strident tone taken by the Bush administration. Annan: Iraq Unconditionally Accepts Return of U.N. Weapons Inspectors foxnews.com FNC Kofi Annan Monday, September 16, 2002 UNITED NATIONS — In order to "remove any doubts" it still has weapons of mass destruction, Iraq agreed Monday to allow the return of weapons inspectors, according to a letter sent to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. "The government of the republic of Iraq has based its decision concerning the return of inspectors on its desire to complete the implementation of relevant security council resolutions and to remove any doubts that Iraq still possesses weapons of mass destruction." The White House reacted skeptically: "We've made it clear that we are not in the business of negotiating with [Iraqi President] Saddam Hussein," White House communications director Dan Bartlett told Reuters. "We are working with the U.N. Security Council to determine the most effective wat to reach our goal." Iraq's Foreign Minister Naji Sabri gave the letter to Annan, who announced the stunning turnabout in Iraq's position on the inspectors. In the letter, Iraq called on the Security Council members, which includes the United States, to "respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Iraq." The letter further said that Iraq was responding to an earlier appeal by Annan for Baghdad's compliance with Security Council resolutions calling for unfettered access to inspectors, and to an appeal by the Arab League and other Islamic countries. Annan forwarded the letter to all 15 members of the U.N. Security Council and to the chief weapons inspector, Hans Blix. It was not clear when the council would meet to consider the letter. "I can confirm to you that I have received a letter from the Iraqi authorities conveying its decision to allow the return of inspectors without conditions to continue their work," a pleased Annan told reporters, nearly four years after inspectors left Iraq. "There is good news," Sabri said moments earlier. The Iraqi foreign minister refused to comment further and left U.N. headquarters after a day of negotiations on the text of the letter. Sabri and Arab League chief Amr Moussa had met late with Annan to transmit the letter from the Iraqi government. "I'm now passing the letter to the Security Council and they will have to decide what they do next and of course Mr. Blix and his team will be ready to continue their work," Annan said. He wouldn't answer any questions from reporters but his office was preparing to release the text of the letter. Under Security Council resolutions, sanctions imposed on Iraq after its 1990 invasion of Kuwait cannot be lifted until U.N. inspectors certify that its weapons of mass destruction have been destroyed. Inspectors left the country in 1998 ahead of U.S. and British airstrikes to punish Iraq for not cooperating with inspections. Since then, Iraq has refused to allow inspectors to return, and the stalemate had split the United States, Britain, Russian, France and China -- the five powerful members of the U.N. Security Council. The turnabout in Iraq, after four years of stalemate, came days after President Bush addressed the U.N. General Assembly debate and said that Iraq must comply with Security Council resolutions or face the consequences. Annan credited Bush late Monday. "I believe the president's speech galvanized the international community," Annan said. Annan said the Arab league had played a key role in bringing about the Iraqi response. Annan thanked the league's chief, Amr Moussa of Egypt, "for his strenuous efforts in helping to convince Iraq to allow the return of the inspectors."