- News>
- World
Annan asks Iraq, US to continue dialogue
United Nations, July 24: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, has urged Iraq to show willingness to allow weapons inspectors back into the country and asked US not to close the channels of discussion on the issue.
United Nations, July 24: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, has urged Iraq to show willingness to allow weapons inspectors back into the country and asked US not to close the channels of discussion on the issue.
"Three rounds of talks failed and though US doubts the sincerity of Iraq in agreeing to the Security Council demand to allow the inspectors, they should keep the channels for discussions open" Annan said at a security council meeting. The third round of talks was held on July 5 and 6 at Vienna but no progress on inspectors issue was made though Iraqis had included technical experts in the their delegation.
Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri, who led the delegation at all the three round, had then promised to inform the UN about the views of Iraqi government, but according to Annan, had not done so. In an interview to a television channel yesterday, Annan said he had not set the date for next round of talks and would hold discussion only if "Iraqi gave a reason" to meet. "I asked them to go back home and think about it and come back to me with a message that gives me a reason to meet again."
Iraq has been seeking assurances that once they agree to allow inspectors, the United States would not attack it or make attempts to topple President Saddam Hussein and also withdraw sanctions. But the United States says Iraq must meet its obligations under the Council resolution to which it had agreed.
With possible US attack looming large, some of the council members would like the discussion to continue but others suspect Iraq might have restarted amassing weapons of mass destruction and is buying time by prolonging talks.
Bureau Report
"Three rounds of talks failed and though US doubts the sincerity of Iraq in agreeing to the Security Council demand to allow the inspectors, they should keep the channels for discussions open" Annan said at a security council meeting. The third round of talks was held on July 5 and 6 at Vienna but no progress on inspectors issue was made though Iraqis had included technical experts in the their delegation.
Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri, who led the delegation at all the three round, had then promised to inform the UN about the views of Iraqi government, but according to Annan, had not done so. In an interview to a television channel yesterday, Annan said he had not set the date for next round of talks and would hold discussion only if "Iraqi gave a reason" to meet. "I asked them to go back home and think about it and come back to me with a message that gives me a reason to meet again."
Iraq has been seeking assurances that once they agree to allow inspectors, the United States would not attack it or make attempts to topple President Saddam Hussein and also withdraw sanctions. But the United States says Iraq must meet its obligations under the Council resolution to which it had agreed.
With possible US attack looming large, some of the council members would like the discussion to continue but others suspect Iraq might have restarted amassing weapons of mass destruction and is buying time by prolonging talks.
Bureau Report