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| Iraq |
| Iraq: Inspectors Hold First Private Interview |
| 2003-02-06 |
| Iraq said U.N. weapons inspectors were holding on Thursday their first private interview with an Iraqi scientist linked to previous banned weapons programs. "Due to the circumstances that are now prevailing and the tension, some of our scientists came back and said we don't insist on witnesses and one of them today, in fact, as I'm speaking, is being interviewed alone," presidential adviser General Amir al-Saadi told a news conference. Hiro Ueki, U.N. spokesman in Baghdad, said: "I can confirm that we had requested a private interview at 7 p.m. (11 a.m. EST)." He gave no further details. Now why am I not surprised this happened now? Anyone want to bet this guy wasn't handpicked to be interviewed alone? The issue of inspectors being able to interview scientists has been a sticking point between Baghdad and the weapons inspectors for several weeks. Baghdad has always said it is not able to force the scientists to consent to private interviews, although it would encourage them to do so. On several occasions, U.N. experts have sought private interviews which have not taken place as the scientists have insisted on having a witness present. Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix sent a letter to Baghdad last week setting out U.N. demands ahead of his next visit to Iraq on February 8 and 9 as part of last-ditch efforts to secure Iraqi compliance with U.N. resolutions as the United States prepares for possible war. The demands included allowing private interviews with scientists and overflights by U2 spyplanes. Want to bet Iraq will make a deal to allow some U2 flights in order to string this along a little longer? |
| Posted by:Steve |