United Nations, 13 November 2002 (RFE/RL) -- Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations has announced his country's unconditional acceptance of a tough new UN resolution on arms inspections. Speaking this evening in New York, Mohammad al-Douri said a letter to that effect was being delivered to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. "The letter is saying that Iraq will deal with the Security Council Resolution 1441, despite its bad contents. We are prepared to receive the inspectors within the assigned timetable. We are eager to see them perform their duties in accordance with international law as soon as possible," al-Douri said.
Al-Douri said his country accepted the resolution to avoid a U.S.-led attack. He also reiterated that Iraq does not have any weapons of mass destruction.
The resolution demands that Baghdad allow UN weapons inspectors full access to all suspected weapons sites or face "serious consequences."
Baghdad was facing a 15 November deadline to accept the resolution. Yesterday, Iraq's parliament voted to recommend rejecting the resolution.
Al-Douri said his country accepted the resolution to avoid a U.S.-led attack. He also reiterated that Iraq does not have any weapons of mass destruction.
The resolution demands that Baghdad allow UN weapons inspectors full access to all suspected weapons sites or face "serious consequences."
Baghdad was facing a 15 November deadline to accept the resolution. Yesterday, Iraq's parliament voted to recommend rejecting the resolution.