U.N Weapons Inspector on Weapon Evidence in Iraq

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, January 21, 2003

U.N Weapons Inspector on Weapon Evidence in Iraq

Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix said in Athens on Monday that he had inadequate evidence to have the Iraq file closed.

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Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix said in Athens on Monday that he had inadequate evidence to have the Iraq file closed.

"We are not those who will decide but we do not have enough evidence to have the Iraq file closed," Blix told reporters after talks in Athens on Monday evening with Greek Foreign Minister and current European Union Council (EU) of Ministers President George Papandreou.

Expressing doubts over the findings of the inspectors team working in Iraq, he avoided commenting categorically on the outcome of the checks, saying "we do not know whether what we are seeing is pieces of ice or the entire iceberg."

Blix said if the Iraqis want to convince the international community they must cooperate.

"If Iraq cooperates we will not need much time from now on. We shall have results soon,'' he said.

Blix further said, "We are not saying they have no weapons. We are saying we are not sure they have weapons", noting that one cannot be categorical and everything will depend on the Iraqis' cooperation.

Papandreou praised the inspectors' work and said the EU has every reason to play a constructive role in the region. He appealed to Iraq's leadership to fully cooperate to enable the inspectors to carry out their duty, noting that checks currently taking place in Iraq are of special importance for the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

He reiterated that war can be averted and that conflict is not a foregone conclusion provided Iraq proves that it is cooperating.He added that a very good checking apparatus has already been developed and when the UN decides unanimously it is reliable. The EU supports the UN and the function of the inspectors group.

Speaking to reporters on his arrival in Athens, Blix said thereis some progress regarding practical issues in checking Iraq's arsenal. However, he added that issues which have remained pendingin the past have not been discussed with the Iraqis.

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