IRAQ: Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Mr Tareq Aziz has issued a challenge to Paris, saying Baghdad could accept the proposal of French President Mr Jacques Chirac for the resumption of weapons inspections if he can guarantee the US will not attack Iraq, writes Michael Jansen.
Mr Chirac suggested that the UN Security Council set a three-week deadline to readmit inspection teams and, if Iraq failed to comply, the Council reconvene to consider what action to take.
"Can Mr Chirac give us assurances that [if inspections resume\] he can prevent a war?" Mr Aziz asked.
During a briefing in Baghdad on Saturday, he said Iraq was prepared to allow UN weapons inspectors return under a "magical formula" that would avert a US attack and end economic sanctions.
"If there is a solution which maintains Iraq's sovereignty, dignity and legitimate rights, and prevents aggression, we are ready" for a resumption of inspections based on a "balanced and credible formula that will take us to the truth".
Mr Aziz renewed invitations to Britain and US members of Congress to visit sites where weapons of mass destruction could be produced. "You can bring all the experts you need and you can bring all the equipment you need to search for the truth."
He refuted US and British charges that Iraq was violating the Security Council ban on weapons of mass destruction, harbouring terrorist groups and threatening its neighbours and the world.
"Those accusations are a pretext to justify unjustifiable aggression and \ invasion of Iraq," he stated. He admitted that Baghdad had reconstructed sites bombed by the US during the 1991 Gulf war and the 1998 four-day Anglo-US campaign, but said they were being used for civilian purposes. Last week, Mr Hans Blix, the chief inspector, said there was no proof that the weapons were being manufactured at these sites.
In New York, Iraqi Foreign Minister Mr Naji Sabri stated: "Inspectors are part of Security Council resolutions and we call for the respect of \ resolutions . . . Resolutions consist of other topics, not only the return of inspectors."
He restated Baghdad's demand that the US and Britain should halt their bombing campaign in the "no-fly zones" and move toward lifting sanctions. He denied Iraq was setting conditions by asking that the provisions of all resolutions be implemented and castigated "those" who want to apply resolutions selectively.
"It is the United States which is putting conditions," he stated.
Resolution 1284, adopted in December 1999, provides for the lifting of sanctions for fixed periods of time on a renewable basis if Iraq co-operates with weapons inspectors.
Mr Sabri is expected to meet UN Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan during the Assembly session.
Following a meeting between Mr Sabri and Arab League ministers, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said the Arabs had told Iraq that "this is the time to \ a clear decision on the return of inspectors". He said there was a "window of opportunity" to settle the issue "peacefully" because the US was prepared to involve the UN and because Iraq had told the League "that it will implement United Nations resolutions".
The prince stated: "Since \ claims it has no weapons of mass destruction, the normal thing to do is to invite the inspectors and finish the crisis." He said the Arabs were encouraged by the fact that the term "regime change" was "not mentioned" in the address of US President Bush to the General Assembly because "regime change is the responsibility of the people of the country".
Meanwhile Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah met in Jeddah with Iranian President Mr Muhammad Khatami. The crown prince called for solidarity amongst regional states to prevent foreign powers from exploiting their differences and said any attack on Iraq would cause irreparable damage to the Iraqi people and neighbouring states.
In recent months, Saudi Arabia and Iran, the two major Gulf powers, have made a major effort to co-ordinate their policies.