Italian Defense Minister: Return of Iraqi Weapons Inspectors Vital

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, September 08, 2002

Italian Defense Minister: Return of Iraqi Weapons Inspectors Vital

An "unconditional" return of United Nations weapons inspectors to Iraq is vital to prevent a conflict there, Italian Defense Minister Antonio Martino said on Saturday in Rome.

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An "unconditional" return of United Nations weapons inspectors to Iraq is vital to prevent a conflict there, Italian Defense Minister Antonio Martino said on Saturday in Rome.

Speaking at an international conference in Cernobbio, Martino said: "I believe the return of the inspectors is the clinching factor. If they go back unconditionally, the possibility of a military option disappears."

Asked whether Italy might take part in any action against Iraq,Martino replied: "It's not a problem of support from our country, it's a problem of needing to build a great coalition like in 1991 for the liberation of Kuwait, or in 2001."

Earlier, Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa said he was optimistic the UN inspectors would be returning to Iraq.

Russia and Germany came out on Friday against a US attack on Iraq, earning praise from Baghdad.

US President George W. Bush is scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair, an ally in his campaign to oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, later today at Camp David.

The meeting is expected to focus on Bush's address to the United Nations on Thursday, where he will seek to muster support for a military campaign against Iraq.

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