UN weapons inspectors are preparing for their trip to Iraq to investigate the existence of weapons of mass destruction in accordance with the UN Security Council's firm resolution for the disarmament of Iraq. Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary-General, states that the inspectors will arrive in Baghdad on Monday. Mr. Annan mentions that they know what to do in the face of Baghdad's non-cooperation. Inspectors are required to officially report within two months of the start of inspections whether Iraq has complied with the new disarmament resolution. Washington officials say that if Iraq does not fully comply with the resolution, military action may be possible. A government-controlled newspaper in Iraq reported today that the dispute between Iraq and the United States has not yet been resolved. The editorial of this newspaper denies that Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction. However, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has told reporters that Baghdad has weapons of mass destruction and that the inspectors will reach their conclusions on this matter.
Annan: Inspectors Know What to Do in Case of Baghdad's Non-Cooperation - 2002-11-14
UN weapons inspectors are set to arrive in Baghdad to investigate Iraq's compliance with disarmament resolutions. Kofi Annan emphasizes that the inspectors are prepared for potential non-cooperation from Iraq. The situation remains tense as U.S. officials warn of possible military action if Iraq does not comply.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
UN weapons inspectors are preparing to arrive in Baghdad to assess Iraq's compliance with disarmament resolutions. Kofi Annan has indicated that the inspectors are ready for potential non-cooperation from Iraq, while U.S. officials warn of possible military action if Iraq does not comply.
- Inspectors must report on Iraq's compliance within two months.
- U.S. officials assert that Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
In the early 2000s, the U.S. and its allies were concerned about Iraq's alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction, leading to increased international scrutiny and tensions.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%