Blix Says War on Iraq Not Inevitable

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, January 20, 2003

Blix Says War on Iraq Not Inevitable

Chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix said on Sunday a war against Iraq was not inevitable but Baghdad should do more to prove its claim that there is no banned weapons in Iraq.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix said on Sunday a war against Iraq was not inevitable but Baghdad should do more to prove its claim that there is no banned weapons in Iraq.

"We don't think war is inevitable. We think that the inspection process we are conducting is a peaceful alternative and it requirescomprehensive inspections and a very active Iraqi cooperation," Blix said upon his arrival in Baghdad.

Blix and nuclear agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei arrived here fora two-day visit which will be crucial for a report they will submitto the UN Security Council on Jan. 27 on Iraq weapons inspection.

Blix and ElBaradei, accompanied by several inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), touched down at Baghdad's Saddam International Airport on a Hercules transport plane at about 12:20 p.m. local time (0920 GMT).

Before their departure from Cyprus, ElBaradei termed the visit as a "last-ditch effort" to convince Baghdad that it must offer more cooperation.

"Our main message to Baghdad is that they need to help us to help themselves and provide assurances to the international community that they no longer have weapons of mass destruction," ElBaradei told reporters in Larnaca, Cyprus.

The IAEA chief stressed the possibility of war "very much depends on progress we make in the next few weeks" because the international community "is getting very much impatient."

The top disarmament chiefs' visit come as the United States accuses Iraq of secretly developing weapons of mass destruction andis pouring tens of thousands of troops into the Gulf region to backup its threats to disarm Baghdad by force.

While denying US allegation that it has prohibited weapons, Iraqhas accepted the UN Security Council Resolution 1441 that provides for a tougher weapons inspection regime in the country.

The UN weapons experts resumed their hunting for prohibited weapons of mass destruction in Iraq on Nov. 27 after a four-year suspension and have so far searched about 400 suspected sites.

They must give their first report to the UN Security Council about Iraq's weapons programs by a Jan. 27 deadline.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Blix Says Talks with Iraqi Officials "Make Progress"

Blix Says Most Inspections in Iraq Will Be No-notice

Jiang, Bush Talk over Phone on DPRK Nuclear Issue ( 9 Messages)

China Indignant over PM Koizumi's Shrine Visit ( 7 Messages)

Thousands Protest in Los Angeles against US War against Iraq ( 2 Messages)

China's Vehicle Output Ranks World Fifth ( 2 Messages)

Reflector Installed on 'Shenzhou IV', Measurement Accuracy Greatly Raised ( 2 Messages)