IAEA Suggests UN Security Council Extend Mandate of Inspectors in Iraq

The IAEA intends to suggest that the UN Security Council extend the mandate of inspectors in Iraq, said IAEA Director General Mohammed El-Baradei at a Moscow press conference. The Director General recalled that the inspectors were supposed to submit a report on Iraq to the UN Security Council on January 27.

According to the Director General, the inspectors have been examining Iraqi facilities for eight weeks. "All the procedures are being carried out now," El-Baradei said. He went on to say that a lot had been done but there was much left to be carried out.

He recalled that he and UNMOVIC Head Hans Blix would visit Iraq on January 19-20. The IAEA Director General confirmed that inspectors intended to enhance inspections in Iraq during the next weeks and months. El-Baradei pointed out that various countries were providing inspectors with information on places and processes in Iraq which it's necessary to pay attention to.