Tariq Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, stated that Baghdad is prepared to cooperate with the United Nations to reduce the existing tensions between Iraq and the United States. Aziz emphasized that the return of weapons inspectors should be part of a comprehensive solution to the issue. He made these remarks following a meeting with Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, during the Earth Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Aziz mentioned that his country takes the threat of U.S. military action very seriously and is ready to defend itself. Kofi Annan described the meeting with Tariq Aziz as part of ongoing discussions about the return of UN weapons inspectors to Iraq, which could lead to a comprehensive resolution of the crisis, including the lifting of international sanctions against Iraq.
Tariq Aziz: Iraq is Ready to Reduce Existing Tensions with the U.S.
Tariq Aziz announced Iraq's readiness to work with the UN to ease tensions with the U.S. after meeting with Kofi Annan. This cooperation includes the return of weapons inspectors, which is crucial for resolving the crisis and lifting sanctions. The situation is significant as it reflects Iraq's defensive posture amidst U.S. threats.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Tariq Aziz announced Iraq's willingness to work with the UN to reduce tensions with the U.S., including allowing the return of weapons inspectors. This announcement followed a meeting with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
- Iraq is ready to cooperate with the UN to ease tensions with the U.S.
- The return of weapons inspectors is a key component of this cooperation.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The crisis between Iraq and the U.S. has been ongoing since the Gulf War, with tensions exacerbated by Iraq's non-compliance with UN resolutions.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%