The Hindu : Iraq wants Indian inspectors in U.N. team

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 23, 2002

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Iraq wants Indian inspectors in U.N. team

By Amit Baruah

NEW DELHI Nov. 22. India has shown ``some willingness'' to send experts to be part of the United Nations arms' inspection teams that will be hunting for weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq.

While saying this at a press conference here this evening, the Iraq President's Special Envoy, Mohammad Sayeed al-Sahaf, wanted New Delhi to give its response to the Iraqi request to send Indian inspectors.

Mr. Al-Sahaf, who said he carried an ``oral letter'' from the Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, for the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, said the request was made some time ago. He had received a ``reply'' from Mr. Vajpayee for Mr. Hussein, but refused to give any details.

Iraq wanted the representation of different nationalities for a ``balanced and objective'' assessment.

Expressing satisfaction over India's position on the Iraqi issue, he said Mr. Vajpayee's recent statement (on Guru Nanak's birthday) was a ``very fair and balanced statement''. ``Any fair leadership'' of any nation (such as India) would be convinced that Iraq did not possess any weapons of mass destruction. The U.N. inspectors were already in Iraq and there had been agreement on a framework whereby they could get on with their work.

Expressing readiness to comply with the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441, Mr. Al-Sahaf said that if the inspectors found no weapons, the sanctions imposed against Iraq in 1990 should be lifted.

Iraq wanted to tell the world that there should be a clear distinction in dealing with the U.N. and facing threats from the Americans and the British. ``These are two separate things.'' He accused the U.S. of harbouring a ``hidden agenda'' and hegemonic designs. ``We will be transparent and do things properly (in relation to the inspections).''

The U.S. threats are ``despicable'', they are ``very wrong'', against peace and a ``completely criminal act''.

Asked about the humanitarian situation in his country, Mr. Al-Sahaf said 10,000 children were dying every month because of the ``criminal regime'' of sanctions. .

Earlier, the Foreign Office spokesman said Mr. Al-Sahaf had assured the External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, that Iraq would fully cooperate with the U.N. weapons' inspectors.

For his part, Mr. Sinha said India wanted a peaceful resolution of the Iraqi crisis and expressed concern at the humanitarian situation there.

Articulating India's position, the spokesman said Iraq had to ``faithfully comply'' with the U.N. Resolution.

``We have consistently stated that if Iraq complies with the provisions of the Security Council Resolution, sanctions against that country should be lifted.''

If Iraq did not comply, the Security Council had to decide on action to be taken.

``We sincerely hope, in the interests of all humanity, that this matter can be resolved peacefully through the United Nations,'' the spokesman added.

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