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Annan, Clinton talks focus on Iraq
March 11, 1998
Annan and Clinton at the White House
Web posted at: 2:32 p.m. EST (1932 GMT)WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton on Wednesday praised the efforts of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan in getting U.N. weapons inspections back on track, and said both leaders are committed to the success of the program.
Meeting with Annan in Washington, Clinton said he was "encouraged" by the process aimed at dismantling weapons of mass destruction. But, his administration will closely monitor progress.
"We have to remain vigilant. The last six days is not the same as the next six months," Clinton said, referring to the progress on the inspections in Iraq over the past week.
Annan personally negotiated an accord with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein that was signed February 23. It opened presidential compounds to weapons inspectors by reshaping the surveillance teams.
Annan also took steps to open new channels of communication between the United Nations and Baghdad.
Although the Clinton administration has supported Annan's efforts, influential Republicans such as Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott have attacked the deal that averted a U.S. military strike, saying Clinton had relinquished decisions to Annan.
Clinton Speaking at a joint news conference with Annan, Clinton said Washington would consult with the United Nations before taking military action, if Iraq violates the U.N. deal. Annan agreed that he been assured by Clinton that such consultations would take place.
During the news conference, neither Clinton nor Annan mentioned the issue of the U.S. debt to the United Nations.
That debt at the end of 1997 was $1.3 billion for dues and peacekeeping expenses. The amount will rise to $1.7 billion in 1998.
Annan was to meet with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, National Security Adviser Samuel Berger, Secretary of Defense William Cohen and some members of Congress later in the day.
U.N. diplomat arrives in Baghdad
A senior U.N. diplomat arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday to assemble a group that will escort U.N. teams on inspections of Iraqi presidential palaces.
Dhanapala arrives in Baghdad Wednesday The visit by Jayantha Dhanapala of Sri Lanka is a key step in carrying out the U.N.-Iraq agreement.
"It is my first visit to Iraq ... (and) I have come to prepare the ground for the inspection of the eight presidential sites," said Dhanapala, a former ambassador to the United States who currently serves as U.N. undersecretary-general for disarmament.
He was asked by Annan to form a team of diplomats to accompany weapons inspectors to palaces that Iraq had said were off-limits for reasons of national sovereignty.
Also on Wednesday, nine U.N. weapons inspection teams visited 11 sites, Iraq's monitoring committee told the official Iraqi News Agency, INA.
INA said helicopters were used to reach one of the sites, but did not say where any of them were.
Correspondent Richard Roth, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
CNN/Time Impact:
Newsmaker profiles:
- Kofi Annan - U.N. Secretary General
- Saddam Hussein - Iraqi President
Related stories:
- Ritter leaves Baghdad after weapons inspections - March 10, 1998
- Iraqi inspections proceed in 'normal' manner - March 7, 1998
- Ritter back at work in Baghdad - March 6, 1998
- Ritter-led inspectors return to Iraq - March 5, 1998
- Sources: No Brits, Americans to be on diplomatic team in Iraq - March 4, 1998
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