U.N. Arms Inspector Seeks Iraqi Compliance
- Share via
BAGHDAD — The chief U.N. arms inspector made a new bid Wednesday to persuade Iraq to allow his teams to search suspected weapons sites.
U.N. sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed a meeting between inspector Rolf Ekeus and Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tarik Aziz but declined to give details.
Diplomats believe Iraq is still concealing data and equipment linked to its clandestine arsenal in violation of the 1991 agreement that ended the Persian Gulf War.
Ekeus’ visit comes one week after a team of weapons inspectors was blocked from entering five suspected weapons sites in and around Baghdad.
Under the war-ending accord, a special U.N. commission was created to oversee the destruction of long-range missiles and to ensure that Iraq ended its nuclear, biological and chemical weapons programs.
The U.N. Security Council has demanded unconditional access for the inspection teams. Baghdad has yet to formally respond.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
John Orr was a renowned fire investigator who was also a prolific arsonist, and whose thinly veiled novel helped to convict him. In this episode we hear from the fire captain who first suspected him—and from Orr himself.
Madison McGhee is joined by legendary Dateline host Josh Mankiewicz and esteemed L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton as the three of them dive into all-things Menendez Brothers, the good, the bad, and the still unknown.
NPR climate editor Sadie Babits talks about why the media has long overlooked the climate crisis, and how that’s starting to change.
