Inspection First Before Further Talks with Iraq: Annan

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, August 06, 2002

Inspection First Before Further Talks with Iraq: Annan

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UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Monday that the chief weapons inspector could accept an invitation to Iraq for talks if Baghdad agrees to the return of inspectors who have been denied since 1998.

"We have very clear requirements and if Iraq were to honor themI think the invitation can be considered," the UN chief told reporters as he arrived at the UN headquarters in New York.

Annan said he plans to discuss the Iraqi offer with Security Council members later Monday.

"I hope I'll be able to formulate a response after this afternoon's discussion with the council. I don't think we should drag it out," Annan said.

In a letter to Annan, Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri invitedchief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix and members of his team to Iraq "at the earliest agreed upon time" for a round of technical talks on remaining disarmament issues.

While welcoming the letter as "one of the first letters we havereceived from Iraq inviting the inspectors to come in," Annan noted it was "obviously with the wrong work program."

The council has clarified in its resolution 1284 of 1999 that Iraq would first agree to re-admit the weapons inspectors, who would conduct on-site inspections and within 60 days would report back to the council with a proposed program of work for approval from the council.

The debate over Iraq's invitation was further complicated by comments from Blix published Sunday that he would not go to Iraq until Baghdad approves the return of UN weapons inspectors.

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Iraq Invites Chief UN Inspector Back for Technical Talks

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