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Iraqi missile system violates rules: UN experts
United Nations, Feb 13: Missile experts called in by UN arms inspectors believe the engines for Iraq`s Al Samoud missile probably should be destroyed as the rocket`s range exceeds UN limits, diplomats said on Wednesday.
United Nations, Feb 13: Missile experts called in by UN arms inspectors believe the engines for Iraq's Al Samoud missile probably should be destroyed as the rocket's range exceeds UN limits, diplomats said on Wednesday.
The development is likely to provide new fuel to a US campaign to convince the 15-nation UN Security Council that Iraq is not fully cooperating with UN disarmament efforts, the diplomats said. The finding could also sorely test Iraq if inspectors end up asking it to destroy the missiles just as Baghdad digs in for war with the United States.
Iraq and Russia, however, disputed the finding.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov, arguing that decisions on war and peace were still premature, said the missile report was inconclusive and more study was needed.
He called the issue "a technical matter" rather than a violation of a Security Council resolution that banned Iraqi missiles with a range of more than 150 km. The Al Samoud 2 rocket repeatedly tested up to 40 km beyond the permissible range according to council diplomats familiar with the experts' report.
"Inspections should continue. It's clear," Fedotov told reporters after a meeting of the governing board of the UN inspection agency UNMOVIC.
A Russian expert was invited -- but did not attend -- the two-day meeting at UN headquarters at which the missile's capabilities were debated, UN officials said.
"The verdict on the missiles was that Al Samoud falls in the prohibited zone and its engines should probably be destroyed," said one envoy, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It's likely that (chief UN arms inspector Hans) Blix will report that to the council on Friday," another council diplomat said.
The development comes just days before Friday's key Security Council meeting at which Blix and fellow chief inspector Mohamed ElBaradei are to present a crucial report on the progress of their disarmament efforts.
The United States and Britain argue that Iraq has failed to wholeheartedly cooperate with UN disarmament efforts and warn that time is running out for it to rid itself of any weapons of mass destruction.
Washington, joined by a handful of allies, is sending troops and military gear to the region in preparation for a possible war.
But most members of the council, led by France and Germany, have argued so far that inspectors should be given more time to do their work before military action is weighed. In a direct challenge to the United States and Britain, France on Tuesday circulated detailed proposals to strengthen UN inspections as an alternative to war, a position backed by Germany, Russia and China.
France, Russia and China are permanent Security Council members, along with the United States and Britain, and as such hold veto power.
Chinese Ambassador Wang Yingfan and Russia's Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday they hoped the council would take a look at France's ideas if they made UN inspections more effective and efficient.
But US Ambassador John Negroponte disagreed.
Sending in more inspectors "is not going to have much meaning without Iraqi compliance," he told reporters
Iraq, meanwhile, said it was up to the inspectors.
"If there's a need, they (Blix's team) will ask. It's not up to us to say we accept or not," Iraqi UN Ambassador Mohammed Aldouri said.
Bureau Report
The development is likely to provide new fuel to a US campaign to convince the 15-nation UN Security Council that Iraq is not fully cooperating with UN disarmament efforts, the diplomats said. The finding could also sorely test Iraq if inspectors end up asking it to destroy the missiles just as Baghdad digs in for war with the United States.
Iraq and Russia, however, disputed the finding.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov, arguing that decisions on war and peace were still premature, said the missile report was inconclusive and more study was needed.
He called the issue "a technical matter" rather than a violation of a Security Council resolution that banned Iraqi missiles with a range of more than 150 km. The Al Samoud 2 rocket repeatedly tested up to 40 km beyond the permissible range according to council diplomats familiar with the experts' report.
"Inspections should continue. It's clear," Fedotov told reporters after a meeting of the governing board of the UN inspection agency UNMOVIC.
A Russian expert was invited -- but did not attend -- the two-day meeting at UN headquarters at which the missile's capabilities were debated, UN officials said.
"The verdict on the missiles was that Al Samoud falls in the prohibited zone and its engines should probably be destroyed," said one envoy, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It's likely that (chief UN arms inspector Hans) Blix will report that to the council on Friday," another council diplomat said.
The development comes just days before Friday's key Security Council meeting at which Blix and fellow chief inspector Mohamed ElBaradei are to present a crucial report on the progress of their disarmament efforts.
The United States and Britain argue that Iraq has failed to wholeheartedly cooperate with UN disarmament efforts and warn that time is running out for it to rid itself of any weapons of mass destruction.
Washington, joined by a handful of allies, is sending troops and military gear to the region in preparation for a possible war.
But most members of the council, led by France and Germany, have argued so far that inspectors should be given more time to do their work before military action is weighed. In a direct challenge to the United States and Britain, France on Tuesday circulated detailed proposals to strengthen UN inspections as an alternative to war, a position backed by Germany, Russia and China.
France, Russia and China are permanent Security Council members, along with the United States and Britain, and as such hold veto power.
Chinese Ambassador Wang Yingfan and Russia's Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday they hoped the council would take a look at France's ideas if they made UN inspections more effective and efficient.
But US Ambassador John Negroponte disagreed.
Sending in more inspectors "is not going to have much meaning without Iraqi compliance," he told reporters
Iraq, meanwhile, said it was up to the inspectors.
"If there's a need, they (Blix's team) will ask. It's not up to us to say we accept or not," Iraqi UN Ambassador Mohammed Aldouri said.
Bureau Report