United Nations: Expressing optimism that a war could be avoided in Iraq, United
Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has stressed that Baghdad must fully and pro-
actively comply with the UN Security Council resolution.
The Security Council would have to determine on the basis of weapons inspectors'
report whether Iraq is cooperating or declare it in "material breach", he told
reporters.
Responding to the presentation on Iraqi non-co-operation made by American Secretary
of State Colin Powell and Council members' reactions to it, Annan said, "I think the
message has been clear - everyone wants Iraq to be pro-active in co-operating with
the inspectors and fulfil the demands of the international community."
Annan said if Iraq co-operates fully, war can be avoided.
Replying to a question, he indicated that he has no plans to go Baghdad in a last
minute bid to save the situation.
Annan said the message of international community to Iraq is very clear - disarm.
"That message has come from the United Nations Security Council, it has come from
the Arab League, it has come from its neighbours and the (chief UN) inspectors, who
are going back in the next few days to give them the same message in the name of a
united international community," he stressed.
"If I were to go, I would not carry a different message. I would be carrying the
same message."
Responding to a question regarding a possible UN role beyond the looming conflict,
Annan reiterated that the UN has been engaged in contingency planning on the
humanitarian side.
"This is also something that we have given some preliminary thought to, but we are
not there at all," he said.
PTI
