Baghdad Accuses UN Team of 'Bad Manners'

The Iraqi government accused the UNMOVIC inspection team of showing “bad manners” in visiting the Soyud Palace in Baghdad on Wednesday. The Iraqi Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement declaring that it hoped the visit “is not the beginning of bad manners aimed at restoring the climate of tension in the relations between the inspection teams and Iraq”. However, the regime reiterated that all support requested by the teams shall be provided.

The statement complained about “The principle of vile conduct which the USA, the UK and the Zionist Entity wish to impose on the United Nations” and urged the UNMOVIC and IAEA inspection teams to resist pressures to turn themselves into spies. “UNMOVIC and the IAEA confront a serious test of their credibility and shall have to demonstrate their commitment to professionalism, objectivity and respect for the United Nations Charter”, it continued.

It will be remembered that the previous inspections had broken down after Baghdad accused the UN teams of spying, a charge which was later admitted as being true by some members of the teams.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.Ru