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http://www.hinduonnet.com/stories/2002092002271400.htm The Hindu September 20, 2002 All banned weapons destroyed, says Iraq By Atul Aneja MANAMA (BAHRAIN) Sept. 19. Iraq today claimed that it had destroyed all stocks of banned weapons and was free of mass destruction arms. Iraq's Vice-President, Taha Yassin Ramadan, told a state-run Iraqi daily that all banned weapons "were destroyed over the past years." The statement assumes importance as the U.N. Security Council Resolutions framed in the backdrop of the 1991 Persian Gulf War demand that Iraq should destroy all its weapons of mass destruction and this was to be verified by a team of U.N. weapons inspectors. U.N. sanctions on Iraq, it was stated, would be lifted provided these inspectors verified that Iraq was free of mass destruction weapons. The United States, in recent weeks, has been emphasising that Iraq should not only let in inspectors but also, more importantly, destroy all its weapons of mass destruction. Mr. Ramadan said Iraq's decision to allow in U.N. weapons inspectors unconditionally was a "sincere" move. "Iraq's initiative", he added "will provide the U.N. weapons inspectors with the chance to know for certain and from close up that Iraq is clear of weapons of mass destruction." The U.S. so far has been sceptical about the Iraqi turnaround. Washington has maintained that the Iraqi decision to let in inspectors was a tactical ploy for dividing the Security Council members. Among the five Security Council members, France and Russia have been disinclined to back a U.S. proposal for a fresh resolution on Iraq that would encourage early launch of military strikes against Baghdad. Besides, opinion among the Council members is divided on the question of precipitating "regime change" in Baghdad. Mr. Ramadan pointed out that Iraq's decision "would expose the U.S. administration's false claims on Iraq." Echoing Mr. Ramadan's standpoint, Iraq's ruling Baath party newspaper said that Baghdad did not pose a threat to anybody, including the U.S. Unaffected by the positive overtures now streaming out of Iraq, the U.S. forces continued to fine-tune their military plans in the region. Top commanders of the U.S. Central Command, headed by Gen. Tommy Franks, met in Kuwait today for closed-door discussions. Those who participated in these talks included representatives of the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Marines and special operations units. Camp Doha in Kuwait is a major warehousing complex which stores supplies for U.S. ground forces. Gen. Franks was in Qatar on Wednesday and held talks with top Qatari officials. Qatar's Al Udeid military base may play a key role in launching air strikes in Iraq, besides serving as the main command and surveillance post for the U.S. forces in the region. __________________________________________________ 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 ==^================================================================
