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18 September 2002

U.N., Iraq Discuss Weapons Inspectors' Return

(Two sides will meet again in Vienna in 10 days) (320)
By Judy Aita
Washington File United Nations Correspondent
United Nations -- The chief of the U.N. weapons inspection unit and
Iraqi officials began discussing the return of U.N. weapons inspectors
to Iraq September 17.
Less than 24 hours after receiving Iraq's acceptance of weapons
inspections, Hans Blix, chairman of the U.N. Monitoring, Verification,
and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) held preliminary talks with Iraqi
officials "about practical arrangements related to the resumption of
inspections as a follow-up from earlier talks in Vienna in July of
this year," the UN said. "UNMOVIC provided the Iraqi side with a list
of such practical arrangements."
"Both sides believe it was a useful meeting and the Iraqi delegation
welcomed the resumption of inspections," an UNMOVIC press statement
said.
Iraq officials said they needed time to study the material and consult
with Baghdad, the U.N. said. The two sides agreed that the next round of
talks will take place in Vienna in the week beginning September 30.
Under the terms of the Security Council resolutions, Iraq is required
to provide an accounting to UNMOVIC on the status of so-called "dual
use materials" every six months. Iraq last provided the U.N. with such a
report in late 1998 just before it U.N. arms inspectors left the
country. Dual use items are materials that could be used for either
civilian or military purposes. Iraq has been allowed to import certain
dual use items under U.N. supervision as part of the oil-for-food
program, but must provide the U.N. with information on where they are
and how they are being used.
Iraqi officials told UNMOVIC that Baghdad would provide the long
overdue eight reports on the dual use items at the meeting in Vienna,
the U.N. said.
The Iraqi officials also told Blix that Baghdad will be considering
national legislation prohibiting weapons of mass destruction
activities "on the basis of models to be provided shortly by UNMOVIC,"
the U.N. said.
The legislation is required according to provisions in the monitoring
plan approved by the Security Council in 1991 in resolution 715.
(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International
Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site:
http://usinfo.state.gov)