17 February 1998
U.S. SUPPORTS SECRETARY GENERAL'S MISSION TO IRAQ
(Richardson: we wish him well) (490) By Judy Aita USIA United Nations Correspondent United Nations -- The United States and Britain, which have held a firm position on Iraq's allowing full access to U.N. weapons inspectors, are supporting Secretary General Kofi Annan's diplomatic mission to Baghdad, diplomats from the two countries said February 17 after a series of meetings between the U.N. leader and the five permanent members of the Security Council. Envoys from the five countries -- China, France, Great Britain, Russia, and the United States -- have met privately with the secretary general four times over the past week to craft "a kind of full collective advice," as one diplomat put it, to guide Annan in his talks with Iraqi officials. Annan said he would undertake a diplomatic initiative, but only if he felt that he could "make a difference." He has insisted that there be a workable solution, support of the council, and an indication that Iraq is prepared to discuss a solution in order for him to undertake the trip. The secretary general and his staff have stated repeatedly over the past week that for the trip to be successful, it has to be carefully prepared both at the United Nations and in Baghdad. Although there has been no formal announcement from the United Nations, activity at the U.N. headquarters strongly suggests that Annan's departure for Baghdad is imminent. He met with the five permanent members of the council and then the ten permanent members late in the day February 17 and is scheduled to meet with all 15 council members in a private session in the morning of February 18. U.S. Ambassador Bill Richardson said the five permanent members provided the secretary general with "some agreed advice" on a number of basic principles. "That advice is consistent with the U.S. position -- free unfettered access to all sites, full integrity of UNSCOM. We're pleased with this meeting," Richardson said. "... We think that is a positive step." "The United States is supportive of his trip," the U.S. ambassador said. "We wish him well, but we reserve the right to disagree if the conclusion of the trip is not consistent with Security Council resolutions and our own national interest," Richardson said. "The secretary general is a very skilled diplomat. It is our view that so long as the negotiations, discussions take place in accordance with Security Council resolutions ... his mission could be a positive one, but we reserve the right to draw an alternative conclusion," Richardson said. British Ambassador Sir John Weston said the advice "fully reflects the position of the British Government on the great importance of ensuring that the Special Commission of the United Nations (UNSCOM) is allowed to carry out its mandate and that Iraq returns to compliance with international law."
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