Baghdad, 11 November 2002 (RFE/RL) -- Iraq's parliament is to convene later today for a closed-door session to consider a response to the UN resolution calling for renewed arms inspection. The resolution gives inspectors unrestricted access to any suspected arms weapons site and the right to interview Iraqi scientists outside the country and without Iraqi officials present.
The resolution, unanimously approved last Friday, warns of unspecified, "serious consequences" if Iraq fails to grant arms inspectors, "immediate, unimpeded and unconditional" access to sites anywhere in Iraq, including Saddam Hussein's presidential compounds.
Foreign ministers of Arab League countries urged Iraq during a weekend meeting in Cairo to accept the resolution.
U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said on American television (FOX-TV) that the Bush administration will hold Iraq to a "zero-tolerance" standard regarding any obstruction of arms inspections.
Iraq has until Friday (November 15) to accept or reject the resolution.
The resolution, unanimously approved last Friday, warns of unspecified, "serious consequences" if Iraq fails to grant arms inspectors, "immediate, unimpeded and unconditional" access to sites anywhere in Iraq, including Saddam Hussein's presidential compounds.
Foreign ministers of Arab League countries urged Iraq during a weekend meeting in Cairo to accept the resolution.
U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said on American television (FOX-TV) that the Bush administration will hold Iraq to a "zero-tolerance" standard regarding any obstruction of arms inspections.
Iraq has until Friday (November 15) to accept or reject the resolution.