Chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix ruled out a visit to Baghdad to take up the Iraqi regime's offer of talks on renewed arms inspections.
"Psychologically, I think it would be better that an official of my political standing does not go to Baghdad before they (the Iraqis) accept inspections," Blix told the Arabic-language Al-Hayat newspaper on Sunday.
According to Blix, holding talks in Baghdad with Iraqi authorities at this point "will raise expectations without foundation." Blix said the chances of a possible war against Iraq would go up if he were to visit but talks were unsuccessful. "The situation will be much worse if I visit Baghdad and the talks fail. We do not want hopes raised."
The Swede nuclear expert added that he was ready for talks with Iraqi officials on the method of future inspections if Baghdad accepted that they resume "conforming to UN resolutions." "We don't know what operational arrangements the Iraqis will be ready to accept," he told the newspaper.
During last month’s UN-Iraq disarmament talks in Vienna, the Iraqis demanded "four conditions to allow a return of the inspectors," said Blix. Baghdad asked for talks on the no-fly zones in the north and south of Iraq, US threats to oust Saddam Hussein, the lifting of the embargo and regional disarmament, he said. "It currently seems that none of these conditions can be granted." (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
