STATEMENT ON AGREEMENT REACHED BY UN AND IRAQ

Issued by: The Department of Foreign Affairs

MEDIA STATEMENT ON AGREEMENT REACHED BY UN SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN WITH IRAQ ON WEAPONS INSPECTION STAND-OFF

The South African Goverment has expressed its delight at news of the success of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's mission to Baghdad, aimed at ending the potentially extremely dangerous stand-off on the issue of weapons inspections. This achievement represents a triumph of reason and diplomacy and congratulations are due to the Secretary General and his staff, as well as those permanent members of the Security Council which contributed to the success of this enterprise. The achievement of an agreement supports the manifest consensus on this issue, that a peaceful settlement should be sought. The onus is now on Iraq to demonstrate good faith by complying fully with its undertakings and commitments in this regard.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 24 FEBRUARY 1998