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Blix Gives Final Interview to NewsMax: U.N. 'Injured' but Necessary Stewart Stogel, NewsMax.comAlso see: Honored Blix Wants NewsMax's 'Deck of Weasels'
UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. is flawed but vitally important, chief arms inspector Hans Blix told NewsMax exclusively in his final interview.
"It was a heavy responsibility, but not one that kept me sleepless at night," said Blix, who retired from his post Monday. Blix, who assumed the U.N. post in March of 2000, is turning over the reins to his longtime deputy, Demitri Perricos. Blix previously headed the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.'s atomic watchdog, for 17 years. He is also a former foreign minister of his native Sweden. As he left his office at U.N. headquarters for the final time Monday night, Blix gave one last interview, exclusively to NewsMax. The following is a transcript of the conversation: NM: Any parting words? Blix: Well, it's now been over 50 years that I have been coming to the U.N. The first General Assembly I attended was in 1950 as a student. So, it's been a lomg time, but I still think the U.N. is a very necessary institution. It needs improvement; it has been injured. I have no regrets. I think now is the right moment to go home. NM: Are you disappointed at the turn of events? Blix: Well of course I would have been much happier if we had been able to stay, if the Iraqis had cooperated 100 percent, if we had been able to defuse the situation. But, it would have required a long-term monitoring mechanism, and of course the Saddam regime would have remained. So it [continued inspections] would have had some drawbacks as well. But, it is the one I would have preferred. NM: Do U.N. arms inspections have a future in Iraq? Blix: It is hard to say. The first question that comes to mind is whether there needs to be some sort of independent verification of what the U.S./U.K. are doing. Later on, there could be a case for long-term monitoring, and that could come in the context of work for a zone free of weapons of mass destruction. I have always felt that was an important element, and with some progress on the "road map" it does not seem as unrealistic as it did a couple of years ago. NM: By leaving now, is a burden being lifted from your shoulders? Blix: It has been a heavy responsibility. I felt that all the time. But, it was not one that kept me sleepless at night. When you leave a job like this, it is like a burden of responsibility going away. As of tomorrow, I am no longer responsible. NM: What's next? Blix: Well, we will pack our clothes and go home to spend the summer on the Baltic coast of Sweden. [end of transcript] Blix added that he did intend to conclude a deal to write his accountings of events leading up to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Though a contract and a publishing date have not yet be finalized, Blix believes such a book could be on store shelves in late 2004, just in time for the U.S. presidential election. Attention, Hillary Clinton: He hastened to point out that, unlike some current authors on the best-seller lists, he did not intend to use any ghostwriters.
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