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Security Council to Launch Intensive Discussions on Iraqi Issue: President
Following the Security Council resolution extending current oil-for-food program for one month, the council will launch intensive discussions on the issue, according to the president of the 15-member body.
"It will be a difficult and laborious process," said Anwarul Chowdhury, Bangladesh ambassador and the council's president for the month of June.
He said that the council plans to meet on Thursday to discuss the humanitarian relief effort for Iraq and hear a report by Hans Blix, the executive chairman of the U.N. Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), during Thursday's closed consultations.
UNMOVIC is charged with monitoring the elimination of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.
Council members will then conduct their weekly review of the oil-for-food program, which has been extended through 3 July with a view to changing the sanctions regime at that time, the president said.
Reporting on his meeting yesterday with Iraqi Ambassador Mohammed Al-Douri, the president said that the two had discussed Baghdad's response to the latest Council action concerning the country. Ambassador Chowdhury said the Iraqi Permanent Representative "reiterated that the oil production has been stopped, oil export has been stopped."
Asked what would happen at the end of the month, Ambassador Chowdhury replied: "Nothing is decided yet. This is early in the month so let's see."
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