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U-N Iraq Weapons Report Monday; U-S Tells Iraq To Disarm - 2003-01-26


On the eve of a critical U-N report on Iraq's weapons programs, the United States is again telling Baghdad it must disarm.

Top United Nations inspectors Monday will report to the U-N Security Council on the first two months of their search for banned weapons in Iraq. Reuters News Agency reports nuclear inspectors plan to tell the council it has yet to prove Iraq is seeking atomic weapons.

Still, Monday's report is expected to say Iraq has not been actively cooperating with weapons inspectors, is blocking access to Iraqi scientists and has not filled holes in its arms declaration submitted last month.

Meanwhile, U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell says Iraq must understand that if it will not disarm peacefully, it will be disarmed by force.

In a speech Sunday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Mr. Powell said Iraq has shown itself to be a threat to its neighbors and world security.

He said the United Nations weapons inspections process has run its course, and warned that inaction by the world community could be used by Iraq to share its weapons of mass destruction with terrorists.

The U-S secretary of state says there is no rush to judgment on Iraq, but that time is running out. He said Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has hidden weapons meant to intimidate his neighbors and is placing millions of innocent people at risk.

Mr. Powell demanded that Iraq account for large amounts of anthrax and botulism toxin that can be used in biological weapons which were uncovered by international inspectors more than four years ago.

Mr. Powell said President Saddam would like to see the world community back away, but should not be in doubt that the United States will not shrink from war, if it is the only way to rid the Iraqi regime of its banned weapons.

King Abdullah of Jordan told the Economic Forum in Davos Sunday that he believes it is too late to find a diplomatic solution to the Iraqi crisis.

Meanwhile, U-S and British jets patrolling the southern "no-fly" zone over Iraq hit five communication relay sites Sunday after the U-S military said Iraqi aircraft violated the zone.

The sites are located between Al Kut, about 160 kilometers southeast of Baghdad, and An Nasiriyah, about 250 kilometers southeast of the Iraqi capital.

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