25 March 2002

U.N., Iraq to Resume Talks on Weapons Inspections

By Judy Aita
Washington File United Nations Correspondent

United Nations -- The second round of talks between Secretary General Kofi Annan and Iraqi officials over the resumption of weapons inspections will begin on April 18, the United Nations announced March 25.

The secretary general and Iraqi foreign Minister Naji Sabri will hold talks at UN headquarters April 18 and 19, UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said. The secretary general had suggested the dates at the end of the first round of talks and the UN received Iraq's formal acceptance on March 22.

"The secretary general, himself, felt that two days rather than one might be necessary," the spokesman said. "He's hoping for substantive and focused discussion, specifically of the issue of the return of arms inspectors to Iraq."

Eckhard noted that the secretary general was an intermediary and "not empowered by the Council to negotiate anything less than full compliance" with Council resolutions.

"What he hopes for is Iraq's signal to the Council through him that they are ready to comply fully," the spokesman said.

At a press conference on March 13 Annan said that he would "aggressively" pursue the UN's aim during talks slated for April. "My objective is clear: that there is compliance and return of the inspectors..."

"My mandate is clear: I'm basing my discussions with them -- and my demands -- on the council resolutions and not beyond that," the secretary general said.

Since 1998 Iraq has refused to cooperate with the UN on any weapons inspections or further work on the destruction of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons and their programs.

At the end of the March 7 talks -- the first between the UN and Iraq in three years -- the secretary general had characterized the exchange as "frank and useful" and said they had covered the return of UN weapons inspectors to Iraq; Kuwaiti and Iraqi missing persons; and the return of Kuwaiti property. Annan said he expected a second round in mid-April "based on a well-defined agenda agreed in advance."

The Iraqi minister also left a list of questions for the Security Council on topics ranging from recent US comments on Iraq to the lifting of sanctions.

Eckhard said the secretary general was submitting the list to Security Council members "for their information." A number of the questions would have to be answered by council members, not the secretary general, and it will be up to them to decide whether to reply "formally or informally or at all," he said.