Text of Iraq's Letter
to U.N.
September 19, 2002
Following is the text of the letter from Iraqi
Foreign Affairs Minister Naji Sabri to U.N. Secretary-General
Kofi Annan as released by Annan's spokesman.
Dear Secretary-General,
I have the honor to refer to the series of discussions
held between Your Excellency and the Government of the Republic
of Iraq on the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions
on the question of Iraq which took place in New York on 7 March
and 2 May and in Vienna on 4 July 2002, as well as the talks which
were held in your office in New York on 14 and 15 September 2002,
with the participation of the Secretary-General of the League
of Arab States.
I am pleased to inform you of the decision of the
Government of the Republic of Iraq to allow the return of the
United Nations weapons inspectors to Iraq without conditions.
The Government of the Republic of Iraq has responded,
by this decision, to your appeal, to the appeal of the Secretary-General
of the League of Arab States, as well as those of Arab, Islamic
and other friendly countries.
The Government of the Republic of Iraq has based
its decision concerning the return of inspectors on its desire
to complete the implementation of the relevant Security Council
resolutions and to remove any doubts that Iraq still possesses
weapons of mass destruction. This decision is also based on your
statement to the General Assembly on 12 September 2002 that the
decision by the Government of the Republic of Iraq is the indispensable
first step towards an assurance that Iraq no longer possesses
weapons of mass destruction and, equally importantly, towards
a comprehensive solution that includes the lifting of sanctions
imposed in Iraq and the timely implementation of other provisions
of the relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution
687(1991). To this end, the Government of the Republic of Iraq
is ready to discuss the practical arrangements necessary for the
immediate resumption of inspections.
In this context, the Government of the Republic
of Iraq reiterates the importance of the commitment of all Member
States of the Security Council and the United Nations to respect
the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence
of Iraq, as stipulated in the relevant Security Council resolutions
and article (II) of the Charter of the United Nations.
I would be grateful if you would bring this letter
to the attention of the Security Council members.
Please accept, Mr. Secretary-General the assurances
of my highest consideration.
Dr. Naji Sabri
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Iraq
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