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http://www.hinduonnet.com/stories/2002091801681400.htm The Hindu September 18, 2002 Attack talk must stop: Iraq By Atul Aneja MANAMA (BAHRAIN) SEPT. 17. After agreeing to allow United Nations weapon inspectors on its soil unconditionally, Iraq has asserted that that there was now no justification for the U.S. to attack it. "All the reasons for an attack have been eliminated", Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, said in Baghdad today. Mr. Aziz reiterated that Iraq had agreed to readmit U.N. weapons inspectors and cooperate with them. "Yes, we agree on the return of weapons inspectors and are ready to work with the (U.N.) Secretary-General in order to put this (Iraqi) decision into effect", he observed. In a related development, Iraq's President, Saddam Hussein, has sent a letter to the U.N. General Assembly which will be read out by the Iraqi Foreign Minster, Naji Sabri, who is already in New York, the Iraq News Agency (INA) said. Despite the Iraqi offer, the U.S. has expressed scepticism and described Baghdad's turnaround as a "tactical move." In fact, Washington has maintained that Iraq's stance has not obviated the need for a fresh U.N. Security Council resolution that would require it to destroy all its weapons of mass destruction. U.N. inspections on chemical and biological weapons as well as their delivery systems, such as missiles, are steered by a U.N. office in New York. But inspections related to nuclear weapons is conducted by a special team on Iraq under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) based in Vienna. Taking exception to the negative U.S. response that was also echoed by Britain, Mr. Aziz said this had revealed the "true intentions" of these countries towards Iraq, which was to exercise control over its oil. In the region, Israel, which has been an advocate of a military strike against Iraq, said the Iraqi position was extremely unlikely to affect Washington's disposition towards Baghdad. The Israeli Foreign Minister, Shimon Peres, who is at present in New York said, "The position of the United States is far-reaching, unequivocal, and I hardly see any way for them to step back from it." Other neighbouring countries that wish to avoid a war have begun to react positively to Baghdad's position. Egypt's Foreign Minster, Ahmed Maher, said that the Iraqi decision was "the beginning of a process of easing tensions." Iran described the Iraqi decision as "wise and sensible". Iran's spokesman hoped that the shift in Iraqi stance "will stop the drums of war" from beating. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
