New UN inspector sees 'role is not to humiliate the Iraqis'
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, March 3, 2000
WASHINGTON -- The new chief inspector of the United Nations has
pledged not to abandon on-site inspections of suspected missile and
nonconventional weapons sites in Iraq.
Hans Blix took over the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection
Commission on Thursday and appealed to Baghdad to allow weapons inspectors
to return to the country. "The Security Council confirmed the right of
UNMOVIC to unrestricted access to sites and to information and, indeed, I intend to
exercise that," he said. "I think that such inspections are indispensable in
order to get to credible evidence about Iraq."
For 15 months, UN inspectors were not allowed to conduct inspections in
Iraq. Blix rejected Iraqi assertions that there was nothing to inspect.
At the same time, Blix, a former head of the International Atomic Energy
Agency, indicated a new approach. "I am determined we shall exercise the
right to unrestricted access, but I am also determined that our role is not
to humiliate the Iraqis," Blix said.
Earlier, the resignation took effect of Charles Dulfer, the American
deputy chairman of UNSCOM, who oversaw the operation after the departure of
chairman Richard Butler in June 1999. Blix said he has talked with Dulfer
and plans to continue to consult with him.
Friday, March 3, 2000
|