Annan Says Weapons Inspections Making Headway

Annan Says Weapons Inspections Making Headway

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Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday re-iterated that war with Iraq is not inevitable. In a message to the Non-Aligned Summit in Malaysia, the Secretary-General said the inspections which resumed just a few months ago, are beginning to yield results and should be allowed to continue until all weapons of mass destruction are destroyed or accounted for. At the same time, he said it is imperative that the Iraqi leadership understand the gravity and urgency of the situation. Mr. Annan said Iraq must disarm and cooperative proactively with the inspectors.

Annan Confident Iraqis will destroy missiles

The UN Secretary-General has emphasized that what Dr. Hanx Blix is asking of the Iraqis, in terms of destroying all the Al Samoud missiles, is very clear. At a press conference upon his arrival in Ankara Turkey, Kofi Annan said there is no reason why the Iraqis should not destroy these weapons.

"The resolutions covering iraq are enforceable under chapter 7. And I urge the Iraqis to do it and I'm confident they will destroy the weapons. If they refuse to destroy it the Council will have to take a decision on that."

The Secretary-General is in Ankara on his way to Athens and Nicosia for talks on a comprehensive settlement on the Cyprus question. Meanwhile in New York, Dr. Hans Blix is meeting with his advisory board, known as the college of commissioners, to discuss the next report due to the Council on the first of March.

Security Council to meet on second resolution on Ira

qThe UN Security Council was meeting Monday afternoon on Iraq behind closed doors. UN Radio understands that the United States and the United Kingdom are expected to present a draft resolution on Iraq. Meanwhile in Iraq, four missile teams carried out inspections at a number of sites. One team inspected the Al-Rasheed Company which is involved in the design and production of solid propellant missiles and the Al Qaid factory which is involved in warhead filling.

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