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S P E C I A L: The Standoff with Iraq Annan admits Iraq trip could be last chance for peace
February 18, 1998
Annan
Web posted at: 2:29 p.m. EST (1929 GMT)In this story:
- Annan has full backing of Security Council
- 'Last hope before a war?'
- Inspection compromise considered
- Related stories and sites
UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, indicating that his weekend talks in Iraq were a last chance for peace, said on Wednesday he had a "reasonable chance" of averting a U.S.-led military attack in the impasse over U.N. weapons inspections.
After briefing ambassadors from the 15 Security Council nations, Annan said all were in favor of his diplomatic effort. He will arrive in Baghdad on Friday and is expected to hold talks over the weekend with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi government leaders before returning to the United Nations on Monday.
Annan said he was encouraged by messages coming from Baghdad "that they (the Iraqis) are prepared to engage me constructively."
Annan talks to reporters at the U.N. after briefing the Security Council "...the unanimity of the council has been re-established..." 525K/24 sec. AIFF or WAV sound "I'm also encouraged by the message coming from Baghdad..." 435K/20 sec. AIFF or WAV sound "I don't know if what is required to get a solution here is ruthlessness." 100K/5 sec. AIFF or WAV sound 'Last hope before a war?'
Asked by a reporter if he considered himself "the last hope before a war," Annan replied, "I have been described in those terms and I don't think that is misplaced."
British and U.S. officials have cautioned that they won't accept any settlement that would dilute the power of the U.N. Special Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM), which is charged with carrying out the weapons inspections.
"The United States wishes him well," Bill Richardson, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said of Annan's upcoming trip. But, Richardson told reporters, "the betting odds are not very good.If Iraq does not comply, there are going to be some very serious consequences."
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"The United States reserves the right to oppose any arrangement that does not protect Security Council resolutions and what we perceive to be America's national interest," Richardson said.
Inspection compromise considered
In an interview with CNN, UNSCOM head Richard Butler expressed his confidence in Kofi Annan 760K/35 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Both Richardson and UNSCOM leader Richard Butler said on Wednesday that, in the search for a diplomatic solution, the United States could accept a compromise in which diplomats from Security Council member countries accompany U.N. arms inspectors on their search for banned weapons.
But Richardson said that did not mean the United States was backing down from its previous calls for clear, unrestricted access for the inspectors.
Iraq has blocked inspectors from gaining access to eight so-called presidential sites, arguing they represent symbols of Iraqi sovereignty.
"Maybe with respect to those (eight) buildings there will be some special arrangements made where our professional team will be accompanied by diplomatic observers," Butler told CNN in a live interview.
"But, as I understand it, the core (of the inspection team) would still be the technicians and professionals from UNSCOM whose job it is to identify anything relevant to weapons of mass destruction. If that's the way this thing comes out by way of a solution, fine, because the core is still our technical work and our task of disarmament."
Washington says Baghdad has consistently hindered U.N. weapons inspectors, concealing information on its ability to produce deadly chemical and biological agents.
Iraq denies possessing weapons of mass destruction.
Iraq Standoff Main | Latest Stories | Message Board
Newsmaker profiles:
- Kofi Annan - U.N. Secretary General
- Saddam Hussein - Iraqi President
Related stories:
- Annan, Hussein meeting set - February 18, 1998
- Clinton advisers to hold Ohio forum on Iraq - February 18, 1998
- The case for diplomacy: Damage, destruction and doubts - February 17, 1998
- The evidence: What weapons does Iraq have? - February 17, 1998
- Iraq shows signs of flexibility as Annan prepares to visit - February 17, 1998
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