Blix report to Security Council

[Busaras]

Dr Hans Blix, chief of UNSCOM and head of the inspections in Iraq, told the Security Council this afternoon that Iraq appears to be taking a more active approach to disarmament.

In a 24 minute speech, he said the results of the inspections to date have been consistent with the Iraqi declarations ahead of the inspections.

However, significant qantities of previous arms had not yet been accounted for.

Dr Blix said there was no evidence Iraq knew of any of the inspections in advance, and there had been no problems with access to sites.

In the course of his report, he questioned the US intepretation of satellite photos that Secretary of State Colin Powell said last week showed suspicious activity at an Iraqi weapons site.

He reminded the council that the question of the Al Samoud 2 missiles had been noted in his January briefing.

It has now been assessed as proscribed because its actual range exceeds tha planned and permitted range.

He revealed that South Africa offered to advise Iraq on compliance, and the offer had been accepted.

[colinsky]

I've been listening. Sounds like Iraq is doing a good job.

[blastman]

La la la la la...I'm not listening.....la la la la la

[Jodus]

Oh my God, Bush is gonna be pissed!

[birdbath]

however, there is the problem of the interviews with the iraqi scientists.

[MrSquiller]

From Sky. According to them he says the Al Samoud missiles aren't contravening the UN rules.

BLIX GIVES HIS VERDICT

Chief weapons inspector Dr Hans Blix has told the UN Security Council there is no evidence Iraq is in possession of weapons of mass destruction - but Baghdad has still not declared all banned weapons or chemicals.


Giving his long-awaited verdict, he told members there was no reason why the inspections could not continue if Iraq was more cooperative.

"The period of disarmament through inspections could still be short if immediate, active and unconditional co-operation were to be forthcoming," he said.

He said the Iraqis had been cooperative with inspections - but that was not enough and they needed to do "more than opening doors".

The Iraqis still needed to explain what had happened to chemicals such as anthrax and VX nerve gas which had previously been documented by UN teams, Dr Blix said.

'Active attitude'

"If they [banned weapons] exist, they should be presented for destruction," he said.

"If they do not exist, credible evidence to that effect should be presented."

But more effort had been made recently to provide details on whether the chemicals had been destroyed - that "could be indicative of a more active attitude," he said.

Dr Blix went on to say some weapons had "not been accounted for" - but there was no evidence Iraq was hiding weapons of mass destruction.

The al Samoud missiles uncovered by the UN teams did exceed the range set by the UN, he said.

The 25-minute report could decide if Iraq will be attacked - whether by a UN coalition or by UK-US forces.

The language used in the report will be a key factor in determining how wavering council members react.

Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, chief of the UN's nuclear watchdog, has said inspections should continue for a few more months providing Iraq cooperates.

Dr Blix has refrained from giving any time estimate.

[colinsky]

The Iraqi scientists have been brought up throughout their entire life with propganda about how evil the United States and the outside world is. Now, they're expected to meet privately with UN officials, who happen to be escorted by UN soldiers with big guns. I'd imagine they might be a bit frightened. I'D be frightened. They're worried that their words might be used against them; that they might be thrown into jail, that they'll be accused of doing something wrong no matter what they say, that they'll be beaten -- all sorts of things they might imagine. Just because they're hestitant to meet in private, or want would rather have their meetings with Iraqi officials in the same room, does NOT mean they are necessarily hiding anything, or that there is a government conspiracy to withold information or defraud. According to today's statement, some interviews have taken place and have been productive.

Imagine how you'd been if random big men were investigating your employer and threw you in a room and told you to talk. You'd want a lawyer along, at the very least, wouldn't you?

[birdbath]

NEWSFLASH!!!!!!!

COLINSKY IN DEFENCE OF IRAQIS SHOCKER

[Jodus]

Originally posted by birdbath
NEWSFLASH!!!!!!!

COLINSKY IN DEFENCE OF IRAQIS SHOCKER

He still has a point, though, don't you agree?

[birdbath]

oh i know he does and i agree with him. i just never thought i'd see that day :D

[Jodus]

Sure aren't we all very flexible!

[Sparky]

I can wrap my leg around my head.

[blastman]

I can wrap my leg around your head, too.

[4ofUs]

Adam and Eve
Not Sparky and Blastman

[Sparky]

http://home.snafu.de/ziebell/J08.jpg