Arab Countries Hailing, while US Remains Skeptical

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, September 18, 2002

Arab Countries Hailing, while US Remains Skeptical

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Iraq's decision to allow the return of the international weapons inspectors has received a mixed reaction worldwide, with the Arab countries hailing the decision while the United States remains skeptical.

Arab foreign ministers meeting in New York on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly session, welcomed the Iraqi move in a statement, and hoped the United Nations would respond positively.

They called for a comprehensive solution between Iraq and the UN Security Council, hoping it would work towards lifting the sanctions against Iraq and ridding the Middle East region of weapons of mass destruction.

On Monday, Iraq said it would unconditionally allow the return of UN weapons inspectors to "remove any doubts Iraq still possesses weapons of mass destruction" and eliminate the US excuse for a military attack on Iraq.

The United States and its closest ally Britain have voiced skepticism about the Iraqi offer, saying it was but an Iraqi tactic designed to fend off strong UN action.

"This is a tactical step by Iraq in hopes of avoiding strong UN Security Council action. As such, it is a tactic that will fail," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said in a statement.

"It is time for the Security Council to act," the statement said.

A spokeswoman for the Office of Prime Minister Tony Blair said, "Let's not forget Saddam has a history of playing games on these matters. Let's wait and see exactly what is on the table ...We want to see unrestricted access any time, any place, anywhere."

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also said the Iraqi offer must be treated skeptically, because it came "only four days after the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq Tareq Aziz said precisely the opposite, that they would not accept the insertion of weapons inspectors without conditions."

"We shall continue to work with our international partners for an effective resolution from the Security Council. The focus of the international community is on and remains on the threat posed by the Iraqi regime and its weapons of mass destruction," he added.

The United States and Britain both demand another Security Council resolution on Iraq's disarmament in order to keep pressure on Bagdad. The proposal has met with opposition from Moscow, who said a new resolution was not necessary.

"From our standpoint we do not need any special resolution," said Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, adding that only sending inspectors quickly back to Iraq could produce an answer to the question whether Iraq still had weapons of mass destruction.

Both Russia and China have welcomed the Iraqi offer to resume UN arms inspection, describing it as a "positive" and an "important step".

The 15-member Security Council is meeting later on Tuesday on the Iraqi issue, with a division expected among the five permanent members, Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

France said the council had several options to consider, while noting the Iraqi government should keep to its word.

Some countries, such as Germany and Belgium, believe the Iraqi offer was an important step in the right direction to ease the tensions, removing reasons for an immediate, if any, US strike on Iraq.

"I think that here and now there is no reason for strikes," said Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel.

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