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Britain's Straw Says Iraqi Cooperation a - 2003-01-27


British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw says the report by U-N arms inspectors shows that Saddam Hussein has turned weapons inspections into what he called "a charade."

Speaking to reporters today (Monday) in Brussels, Mr. Straw said Iraq is cooperating with inspectors on process but not substance. He accused Saddam Hussein of, in his words, 'practicing concealment.'

Diplomats at the United Nations indicate that the inspectors will make another report on their searches on February 14th.

Iraq's U-N ambassador Mohammed Aldouri said Iraq has fully complied with all of its obligations to the United Nations under resolution 14-41. The resolution says Iraq must cooperate with inspections and give up all weapons of mass destruction or face what the text calls 'serious consequences.'

Mr. Aldouri told reporters today that no country in the world disarmed the way Iraq did between 1991 and 1998. He said Iraq has given unconditional cooperation to inspectors and given the United Nations all the reports it had on its weapons programs.

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov says the inspectors' search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq should continue.

Russian news agencies also quote Mr. Fedotov as saying the inspectors' report provides no grounds for a new U-N resolution on Iraq. Several U-N Security Council members have said they want the council to pass a new resolution authorizing the use of force before the Council supports any military action against Iraq.

Earlier, foreign ministers of the European Union also said inspectors should get more time if they need it. The 15-nation body urged Iraq to give inspectors full information about the country's weapons programs.

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