U.S. Warns Iraq Not to Cut U.N. Ties

Iraq’s ambassador to the United Nations said Monday that his country’s relationship with the world body remains fragile as it considers severing ties with U.N. weapons inspectors.

The White House said there will be serious consequences if Iraq decides to suspend its dealings with the inspectors, who have not yet reported any difficulty in carrying out their activities.

Earlier Monday, the Iraqi news agency INA said Iraq’s parliament had recommended that the country suspend its dealings with the U.N. inspectors to counter a Security Council resolution threatening further sanctions against Iraq.

“If Iraq decides to follow the assembly’s advice, that would have serious consequences,” a White House spokesman said. He declined to say what the consequences might be. Asked if they might include military action, he replied: “We have a wide range of options.”

The news agency said the Iraqi assembly had proposed that ties be suspended until a timetable was set for lifting the broad U.N. embargo imposed for the invasion of Kuwait.