'Iraq not cooperating'

Talks: Hans Blix arrives at No 10
13 April 2012
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Iraq is not fully cooperating with United Nations resolution 1441 on disarmament, the chief weapons inspectors said today.

Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and chief weapons inspector Hans Blix, emerging from talks with Tony Blair and Jack Straw at Downing Street, said Iraq had to show "drastic change".

Saddam Hussein's regime needed to show progress by the time the inspectors produce their next report to the UN on February 14, Dr ElBaradei said.

Dr ElBaradei said: "I think the message coming from the Security Council is very clear: that Iraq is not co-operating fully, that they need to show drastic change in terms of cooperation.

"The message also coming from the Security Council is that time is very critical, and that we need to show progress in our report due on the 14th of this month.

"So our mission, I think, in Baghdad this weekend is crucial and we hope we will secure full 100% co-operation on the part of Iraq."

Dr ElBaradei said the weapons inspectors had had "very good discussions" with Mr Blair and Mr Straw on how the Iraqi issue could be resolved through peaceful means.

"That continues to be our aim," he said.

Dr Blix said the Iraqi regime had provided prompt access to the facilities which the inspectors wanted to examine.

But full co-operation had not been forthcoming. He said: "What has not worked is for the Iraqi side either to present prohibited items for destruction or present evidence that they are finished. On this point, we do not feel that we have had the response we should."

Dr Blix said the inspectors also wanted progress from the Iraqis on allowing U2 spy plane flights over the country and on interviews with scientists at which official minders were not present.

He said: "We hope that at this late hour they will come to a positive response. If they do not do that, then our reports next Friday will not be what we would like them to be."

Dr Blix reiterated that the inspectors wanted to see Iraq disarmed via the inspections process. He said: "That is the method we stand for and we would like to obtain that."

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