UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to Mediate in Baghdad Amid Tensions Over Iraq Inspections

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is set to travel to Baghdad for weekend talks with Iraqi officials in a bid to avert a military confrontation over weapons inspections. Annan has garnered the support of the entire 15-member Security Council, and an advanced U.N. team is already en route to Baghdad. The secretary-general's mission aims to ensure the success of a second weapons inspection, which has been delayed due to Iraq's initial refusal to grant unfettered access to its sites. Annan's trip is seen as a last-ditch effort to resolve the crisis, with both the U.S. and British ambassadors offering their support, albeit with some reservations.

Key Takeaways:

• The U.N. Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has the support of the entire 15-member Security Council for his mission to Baghdad.
• An advanced U.N. team has already left for Baghdad, ahead of Annan's expected arrival on Friday.
• The mission aims to facilitate a second weapons inspection in Iraq, which has been delayed due to Iraq's initial refusal to grant unfettered access.
• U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Bill Richardson has expressed reluctance, while reiterating Washington's hard-line stance on Iraq's compliance.
• Iraqi Ambassador to the U.N. Nizar Hamdoon supports Annan's efforts, stating that it's too early to predict an outcome.

Statistics:

• The 15-member Security Council has unanimously supported Annan's mission to Baghdad.
• The U.S. and British ambassadors have expressed their support for Annan's efforts.
• Iraq has refused to grant unfettered access to its sites for the second weapons inspection.
• The crisis has reached a critical point, with a military confrontation looming.

Sources:

• "U.N. Secretary-General Heads to Middle East Amid Crisis," United Press International, February 17, 1998.