Iraq Returns First batch of Kuwaiti Documents: Spokesman

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, October 30, 2002

Iraq Returns First batch of Kuwaiti Documents: Spokesman

A UN spokesman announced in the United Nations Tuesday that the first batch of Kuwaiti documents seized by Baghdad during its 1990 invasion has been returned.

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A UN spokesman announced in the United Nations Tuesday that the first batch of Kuwaiti documents seized by Baghdad during its 1990 invasion has been returned.

Spokesman Fred Eckhard told a press briefing at the UN headquarters in New York that the transfer commenced on Oct. 19 at Camp Abdaly in the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait.

"The UN arranged the transfer while representatives of the League of Arab States witnessed the procedure," he said. During the process, only Iraq or Kuwait has access to the contents of theindividual files.

Kuwaiti officials are currently examining the transferred documents, according to the spokesman. The return of all Kuwaiti properties is a key requirement under Security Council resolutionson Iraq.

Meanwhile, the council is due to meet again Tuesday afternoon at 5 p.m. (2200 GMT) in a closed consultation on Iraq.

According to a diplomat close to the meeting, the council is toconsult on the first part of the US draft seeking tougher inspection regime in Iraq.

Technically the draft is divided into prelude, parts for working procedures and implementation. Council members see the first part less controversial than the other parts, the diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

There is increasing possibility that the wording for "serious consequences" may survive the hot debate triggered by the US push for a hard-line resolution, since France, the leading resistant, may concede and allow the words to appear at the end of the text, according to the diplomat.

"But members are still concerned with the hidden triggers for possible military action," he said. "It is uncertain that a vote during this week could be achieved as the draft composers planned."

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