Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=9/11/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / FOREIGN MINISTER (L-O)

NUMBER=2-307399

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The U-S-appointed Iraqi Governing Council has won a measure of recognition from its Arab neighbors, with the decision this week to allow the council's foreign minister to represent Iraq at the Arab League. In an interview with V-O-A's Kurdish Service, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari says it is the first step toward re-establizhing Iraq's place in the global political arena. We have more from V-O-A Correspondent Laurie Kassman in Washington.

TEXT: Foreign Minister Zebari says bringing Iraq back into the international community is his top priority. Attending the Arab League's meeting of foreign ministers, he adds, was an important first step in that direction.

/// ZEBARI ACT ONE ///

We want to move Iraq from an outlaw state, from a rogue state to a modern civilized law abiding country. This is a major challenge indeed and needs a lot of effort, edcuation and rehabilitation.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Zebari expects to represent the new Iraq at the United Nations General Assembly later this month. He also expects Iraq to quickly regain its place in other international and regional organizations.

/// ZEBARI ACT TWO ///

We have also a donors conference coming up in Madrid that we need to do our homework to be prepraed to seek support fom the international community to share the burden of reconstruction.

/// END ACT ///

An important part of repairing relations with the international community, he says, is reassuring Iraq's neighbors that Baghdad no longer poses a threat.

/// ZEBARI ACT THREE ///

Definitely the new Iraq will not develop weapons of mass destruction. It will not suport terrorism. It will support stability and peace in the region as a whole and in the Middle East.

/// END ACT ///

In a phone interview from Cairo, Mr. Zebari told V-O-A's Kurdish Service, the Iraqi Governing Council also plans to re-open the country's diplomatic missions, starting with its embassies in neighboring states that have been closed since the start of the war last March that ousted Saddam Hussein from power.

The Iraqi diplomat acknolwedges an urgent challenge for Iraq remains security. And, that, he says will be best achieved by Iraqis themselves.

/// ZEBARI ACT TWO ///

The coalition can be enormously helpful and supportive to create a conducive atmosphere for the political process to move ahead. But, we believe -- and this is a shared view among many members of the governing council -- that the Iraqis themselves should take up the security responsibilty.

/// END ACT ///

U-S and British forces now have begun training Iraqi police and security forces to gradually take over more of the security burden. (Signed)

NEB/LMK/RH/FC