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The
United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, yesterday said he
is awaiting Baghdad's formal reply to the Security Council's latest
resolution aimed at returning weapons inspectors to Iraq.
Asked by reporters to react to moves by the Iraqi Parliament
opposing the inspections, he said, "I'm waiting for a formal
response from the Government. I don't think the Iraqi Parliament
was talking to me. I think it was addressed to the people of
Iraq".
Mr. Annan stressed that Iraq is expected to comply with the
Security Council requirements, which he called "very clear." He
also noted that the Council's decision was unanimous and had been
endorsed by the Arab League. "I hope the message will get through,"
he said.
Asked about the timetable, the Secretary-General said Iraq should
respond formally that it accepts the resolution by 15 November. "I
am expecting that letter," he said.
Iraq would then have to declare, within 30 days, its holdings of
weapons of mass destruction, he noted. An advance team of UN arms
inspectors is scheduled to arrive in the country on 18
November.
"The Security Council resolution becomes effective from day one -
the moment it is approved," the Secretary-General pointed
out.
To a question on how the situation impacts on the UN, he recalled
that although there had been some impatience "that we were not
moving fast enough," democracy required that Security Council
members discuss the issue seriously. "It was a grave decision and
I'm happy they took their time to discuss it and in the end come up
with the best possible decision," he said.
While acknowledging that the outcome and how this issue evolves
could strengthen the UN and multilateralism, he added, "I do not
accept the statement that this is do or die for the UN".
On the subject of the Middle East, and reports that Israel might
deport Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, the
Secretary-General voiced hope that this would not come to pass. He
noted that many governments around the world "have indicated that
it would be unwise to exile Chairman Arafat." - UN News.
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