Chief U.N. Inspectors Leave Iraq

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, November 20, 2002

Chief U.N. Inspectors Leave Iraq

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The chief U.N. weapons inspectors left Iraq early Wednesday, wrapping up a critical two-day visit during which he urged Baghdad to look again in their nuclear, chemical and biological "stocks and stores" to ensure they have no weapons-making to report.

Hans Blix and chief U.N. nuclear watchdog Mohamed ElBaradei took a flight out of Baghdad, after leading advance teams of about two dozen U.N. officials to Baghdad on Monday to resume the weapons inspection program that ended abruptly four years ago. Most of the team stayed behind Wednesday and additional inspectors arrive next Monday. The first field operations are expected by Nov. 27.

On Tuesday, Blix said Iraq's position that it has no weapons of mass destruction "must be convincingly shown by documentation, by evidence."

"We don't think that has yet been convincingly done."

Blix and ElBaradei spoke with reporters after Iraqi officials confirmed they would meet a U.N. deadline and file by Dec. 8 a comprehensive list of nuclear, chemical and biological programs, including any meant to develop weapons.

The two U.N. officials offered a "light at the end of the tunnel" for Iraq, however, saying that if the Baghdad government cooperates fully with their inspections, they might be able to report in about one year that it has complied with Security Council requirements and U.N. economic sanctions on Iraq should be lifted.

Source: Agencies

Questions?Comments? Click here

UN Arms Inspectors Arrive in Iraq

UN Arms Inspectors Face Tricky Task in Iraq: Analysis

Blix Says Talks with Iraqi Officials "Make Progress"

Jiang Zemin Wins Respect for Absence in New Party Central Committee ( 2 Messages)

'Three Represents' to Become Party's Mission Statement ( 7 Messages)

Lured by Black Gold-Oil-- under Anti-Terrorism Banner ( 116 Messages)

China Objects US Blockade of Cuba ( 3 Messages)

China's Foreign Trade Totals 500 Billion US Dollars ( 4 Messages)