Annan Says Iraq Must Destroy Al-Samoud Missiles

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, February 24, 2003

Annan Says Iraq Must Destroy Al-Samoud Missiles

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Sunday that Iraq must destroy its Al-Samoud 2 missiles, or it will prompt the UN Security Council to take a decision on the issue.

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UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Sunday that Iraq must destroy its Al-Samoud 2 missiles, or it will prompt the UN Security Council to take a decision on the issue.

Upon his arrival here, Annan told reporters that he is confident that Iraq will destroy these missiles, which are banned under UN resolutions.

"They (the Iraqis) should realize the urgency and the seriousness of the situation," said Annan, who is here to discuss the issue of reunification of Cyprus with Turkish leaders.

Annan is expected to hold talks on Monday with Turkish leaders before visiting Greece on Tuesday and Cyprus on Wednesday.

He expressed his optimism that an agreement on reunification ofCyprus could be hammered out before Feb. 28.

"The opportunity is open. It is clearly in the interest of all,Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Greece and Turkey to seize the opportunity now," he said.

There are mounting speculations that during his visit to Cyprus,Annan is expected to provide a revised plan on Cyprus based on theprevious one presented last December, reports from Cyprus said.

The previous plan provides for a federal Cyprus, linked by two component states dominated separately by the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and the return of only half of refugees.

Cyprus, an eastern Mediterranean island, has been divided into the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides since Turkish invasion in 1974following a failed pro-Greece coup.

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