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Monday, March 17, 2003

This was an apparent reference to the Bush message: "We concluded that tomorrow is a moment of truth for the world. Many nations have voiced a commitment to peace and security, and now they must demonstrate that commitment to peace and security in the only effective way: by supporting the immediate and unconditional disarmament of Saddam Hussein."

Maintaining that UNMOVIC was not evacuating Iraq, Blix said he was in close touch with Annan, who also has staff in Baghdad, because "the welfare of our staff is paramount."

Said Blix: "We have a little more time today and tomorrow."

He said there were "something like 140-150" inspectors still in Iraq, a few less than average because they were in a three-month rotation period. Some of the inspectors, who work seven days a week, elected to take a second three-month contract. They get a brief respite between contracts.

Asked about an invitation from Baghdad to return to Iraq accompanied by Mohammed ElBaradei, executive director of the Vienna-based U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency, Blix said: "We will think about it. I don't think we can exclude it."

Blix said: "We went in mid-January and mid-February and the Iraqis seem to think mid-March would be appropriate," but "we are in a different situation and it has to be considered more carefully."

His take on the Bush-Blair-Aznar remarks, notably, showed up the differences between them.

"President Bush talked about preparations for Iraq and its use of weapons of mass destruction," while "Blair and Aznar were talking about the possibility of bringing together some consensus in the United Nations around a solution which would expect a declaration from President Saddam (Hussein) himself -- that he has disarmed -- and at the same time concrete steps to demonstrate some kind of down payment on disarmament."

Said Blix: "I didn't feel there was an ultimatum -- that it was before a certain time you should do something," adding: "I certainly felt that the situation was very, very fragile."

It was also learned Sunday that a long-sought report from Iraq received Friday had been translated, said an UNMOVIC spokesman. While the 25-page report was described as "half in Arabic," what it said was not released.

The spokesman, Ewen Buchanan, also said Sunday owners of five helicopters leased by the arms inspectors in Iraq had ordered the aircraft to leave because of the threat of war. He said the craft had lost their insurance coverage and had been moved to neighboring Syria.

The spokesman said the choppers were the smaller in a fleet of eight helicopters UNMOVIC leased from outside companies for use in Iraq. Their departure left three large Russian-built troop transport-size helicopters as the only ones for UNMOVIC inspectors.

Copyright 2003 by United Press International.

All rights reserved.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Saddam Hussein/Iraq

United Nations

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