US Starts New Stage of War Planning Against Iraq

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 05, 2002

US Starts New Stage of War Planning Against Iraq

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US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz said in Ankara Wednesday that the current stage of military planning against Iraq was completed and the next stage has started,reported the Anatolian News Agency.

Speaking at a news conference before leaving Turkey for home, Wolfowitz said that he had constructive contacts with Ankara officials and the two sides discussed many issues.

The two countries have decided to work together on the Iraqi issue, he added.

Regarding a possible operation against Iraq, the US official said issues regarding which bases to be used and which bases US soldiers will be deployed are to be discussed at the next stage.

Wolfowitz said that the United States favors a peaceful solutionto the Iraq issue, but Iraq should be cleared off biological, nuclear and chemical weapons first.

"It is time for Iraq to give up its weapons," he stressed, adding UN weapons inspectors could not disarm Iraq and the decisionis up to Iraq.

"Saddam should see the fact that it is besieged by the international community," Wolfowitz said.

Wolfowitz and US Under Secretary of State Mark Grossman arrived here for a two-day visit. After the visit to Ankara, Grossman proceeded to Cyprus for a brief visit while Wolfowitz leaves for home.

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