FULL
TEXT
(also available at http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/09/17/iraq.letter/index.html)
Dear Secretary-General,
I have the honor to refer to the
series of discussions held between Your Excellency and the
Government of the Republic of Iraq on the implementation of
relevant Security Council resolutions on the question of Iraq
which took place in New York on 7 March and 2 May and in Vienna on
4 July 2002, as well as the talks which were held in your office
in New York on 14 and 15 September 2002, with the participation of
the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.
I am pleased to inform you of the
decision of the Government of the Republic of Iraq to allow the
return of the United Nations weapons inspectors to Iraq without
conditions.
The Government of the Republic of
Iraq has responded, by this decision, to your appeal, to the
appeal of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, as
well as those of Arab, Islamic and other friendly countries.
The Government of the Republic of
Iraq has based its decision concerning the return of inspectors on
its desire to complete the implementation of the relevant Security
Council resolutions and to remove any doubts that Iraq still
possesses weapons of mass destruction. This decision is also based
on your statement to the General Assembly on 12 September 2002
that the decision by the Government of the Republic of Iraq is the
indispensable first step towards an assurance that Iraq no longer
possesses weapons of mass destruction and, equally importantly,
towards a comprehensive solution that includes the lifting of
sanctions imposed in Iraq and the timely implementation of other
provisions of the relevant Security Council resolutions, including
resolution 687(1991). To this end, the Government of the Republic
of Iraq is ready to discuss the practical arrangements necessary
for the immediate resumption of inspections.
In this context, the Government of
the Republic of Iraq reiterates the importance of the commitment
of all Member States of the Security Council and the United
Nations to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and
political independence of Iraq, as stipulated in the relevant
Security Council resolutions and article (II) of the Charter of
the United Nations.
I would be grateful if you would
bring this letter to the attention of the Security Council
members.
Please accept, Mr.
Secretary-General the assurances of my highest consideration.
Dr. Naji Sabri,
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Republic of Iraq
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