United Nations, Dec 04: Despite being barred from Iraq by the United States led coalition, United Nations weapons inspectors are continuing to collect information on Baghdad's biological and chemical weapons and its missile programmes and preparing for a possible role in the future. The world body has 51 inspectors on its staff and some of the Security Council members have suggested that they continue with their activities in future to ensure that Iraq does not acquire weapons of mass destruction.
Suggestions have also been made to make the United Nations Monitoring and Verification Commission (Unmovic) a permanent body for inspection of biological and chemical weapons as it has developed extensive expertise on monitoring such weapons.
The Security Council is expected to discuss on Monday the quarterly report of Unmovic released yesterday when once again the issue of its future role would come up. The quarterly report outlines the activities undertaken by UN inspectors to seek new information about Iraq's weapons.
Several members want the commission to continue its inspections in Iraq after the coalition withdraws but that would require a fresh mandate.
Bureau Report