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RFE/RL: The Iraq Report
Current Issue:
6 September 2002
By Kathleen Ridolfo
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Aziz Says it is Ridiculous for Inspectors to Reenter Iraq...
Ramadan Tours Arab States, Says U.S. Threatens All...
...And Comments on the Issue of Inspectors...
Ramadan Calls Hans Blinx a Spy...
...And More...



"Does the UN Security Council resolution stipulate that inspectors should remain in Iraq forever or for just a specific mission? If this mission is over then there is no reason for their return. But if it is proved through dialogue that there is something that has any connection with weapons of mass destruction, we will look for it, see what remains to be done, how much time does it need, and the method to implement the UN Security Council resolution. We are committed to working in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions although they are unjust and unfair and in spite of the fact that Iraq did not take part in their issuance."



Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz said that his country is willing to cooperate with the UN, but that the return of weapons inspectors would only serve U.S. interests in collecting information on Iraq's defense systems. He told Al-Jazeera satellite TV on 3 September: "If there is a U.S. intention and decision to attack Iraq and to commit aggression on Iraq, then it is ridiculous for the inspectors to come. This is so the inspectors will come, update their data on Iraq, and on Iraq's defenses. Iraq's defenses are legitimate for Iraq expects an aggression.... Therefore it takes measures to defend and protect itself against the aggression. The inspectors would come and after this they would fabricate an excuse, as they did in December [1990] and the Americans would come and attack us."

Aziz spoke from South Africa, where he was attending the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
(More: RFERL.com News Source)
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Dan