"Our stand right now, at this point is, if they are able to fix them and
maintain them, then we will be more than happy to take them back as we lack
air defense capabilities," Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammed Al Askari
said.
"If not, we will find ways of selling them, or finding other ways of
benefiting from them," Al Askari told a Sept. 14 briefing during a trip to
the United States. "But again, our stand here, is to bring back what belongs
to the Iraqi people."
Al Askari was part of an Iraqi military delegation that visited the
United States to discuss defense cooperation. The delegation also included
Maj. Gen. Qassim Atta, spokesman for military operations in Baghdad.
In August, an Iraqi military delegation toured the Serbian factories
that contained the aging MiGs. Officials said the project has long been paid
for, and Belgrade was waiting for an Iraqi decision on whether to return or
sell the aircraft.
"This is a question of [principle], not a question of jet fighters
only," Al Askari said. "Saddam Hussein signed a contract with the Serbian
government a few years ago to maintain [the aircraft]. We view these as
goods of the Iraqi people, of taxpayers — of the Republic of Iraq."
