Iraq Arms Offer Divides Powers

BBC ^ | 8-2-2002

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Friday, 2 August, 2002, 12:50 GMT 13:50 UK

Iraq arms offer divides powers

Early reactions to Iraq's offer of talks over the possible resumption of arms inspections suggest the big powers on the UN Security Council will be divided over the issue. The UK gave the invitation a cool response, but Russia welcomed the move as an "important step" and France expressed its support. The US and the United Nations have yet to respond.

Iraq is suspected of rebuilding its weapons programme

In a letter to the UN, Iraqi Foreign Minister, Naji Sabri, invited the chief inspector, Hans Blix, for what he called technical talks.

Speculation has been growing about an attack on Iraq by the United States, which alleges that President Saddam Hussein is developing weapons of mass destruction.

The inspectors left Iraq in 1998, complaining of a lack of co-operation from the Iraqi Government.

The UK Foreign Office said the Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, had what it called a long history of playing games.

A spokesman added: "The requirement of Iraq is clear and unchanged - unfettered access for UN weapons inspectors any time, any place anywhere."

Hopes dashed

In contrast, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement: "Moscow considers the Iraqi proposal as an important step in the right direction towards resolving the crisis through political and diplomatic means in the framework of UN Security Council resolutions."

Arms inspection timeline Feb 1991: Gulf War ends - Iraq subjected to UN sanctions and arms inspections Jan 1998: Iraq blocks mission, accuses inspectors of spying for US Feb 1998: Kofi Annan reaches deal with Baghdad Oct 1998: Iraq ceases co-operation with Unscom Nov 1998: Inspectors return to Iraq Dec 1998: UN pulls out inspectors - US air strikes begin Dec 1999: Unscom replaced by Unmovic Jul 2002: UN-Iraq talks end without deal Aug 2002: Iraq invites Unmovic chief to Baghdad

The ministry underlined that the Iraqi offer came soon after a visit to Baghdad by Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Saltanov.

France said it supported "all efforts that might lead to Iraq respecting its obligations towards the United Nations Security Council".

News of the Iraqi invitation caused global oil prices to fall on Friday, as traders saw the move as reducing the chances of military conflict in the Middle East.

The BBC's UN correspondent, Greg Barrow, says diplomats have had their hopes raised and dashed before but Iraq's invitation will be interpreted as a possible first step towards the return of weapons inspectors.

Earlier, US President George W Bush rejected concerns by King Abdullah of Jordan about possible military action against Iraq.

He said he still favoured a change of regime in Baghdad.

The policy of this administration is regime change

His comments came after former UN weapons inspector Richard Butler had said that Iraq was producing biological and chemical weapons - and might be close to developing a nuclear bomb.

The arms teams have been barred from Iraq since they left in 1998.

Verification of Iraqi weapons programmes is a key condition for the lifting of UN sanctions imposed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.

The letter - news of which came on the eve of the 12th anniversary of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait - says preliminary talks would aim to establish a solid basis for the next stage of monitoring and inspection activities.

Sitting alongside the Jordanian monarch in the White House Oval Office, Mr Bush said King Abdullah would "find out that I haven't changed my mind" about removing the Iraqi president.

King Abdullah opposes military action against Iraq

Mr Bush said the Iraqi Government was "poisonous" and that "the policy of my government, our government, of this administration is regime change".

The day also saw Mr Bush renew the US economic embargo against Iraq, telling Congress that Baghdad "has continued to engage in activities hostile to US interests".

Jordan, one of America's closest Arab allies and a neighbour of Iraq, has sought to dissuade America from taking military action.

In an interview with the Washington Post newspaper, King Abdullah said that attacking Iraq would be a "tremendous mistake".

"In all the years I have seen in the international community, everybody is saying this is a bad idea," he said.

In Congress, a key Senate committee heard analysts warn that a post-Saddam Iraq could fall into chaos if the US and other nations were not prepared to take an active, expensive role in rebuilding it.