IRAQ: INVITATIONS TO LOOK AT PRESIDENTIAL PALACES SENT OUT

(28 Nov 1997) English/Nat

Iraq has sent out invitations to 117 international observers to come look at its presidential palaces, but the U-N weapons inspectors are not among them.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf says the palaces are "sovereign sites."

Despite the controversy over access to the presidential palaces, the U-N inspectors are continuing their work in other areas.

The Iraqi news agency reported they visited 96 arms sites since last week and have found nothing illegal.

The U-N is yet to make its report on what has been found at the sites.

The inspectors were reluctant to talk politics with reporters outside the U-N headquarters.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
Question: "Iraq says that Iraq's sensitive sites remain immune- what's your comment on that?''
A: ''I have no comment to make."
SUPER CAPTION: UNSCOM inspector

Access to the presidential palaces was one of the key issues at the centre of the recent three week crisis between the United Nations and Iraq.

The U-N insisted its weapons inspectors have access to all sites where it believes chemical weapons may be stored.

On Wednesday, Iraq said it would allow international observers in to search the palaces but the invitation would not be extended to the U-N inspectors.

The inspectors say such access is necessary to finish the job they started after the 1991 Persian Gulf War - overseeing the elimination of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

Iraq says it's refusal is a question of national sovereignty.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We emphasise always that sovereign sites in Iraq is completely fully immuned, (exact transcription) from any infringement upon them, upon them."
SUPER CAPTION: Saeed al-Sahhaf , Iraqi Foreign Minister

Iraq continues to be wary of what it calls the influence of the United States on the commission.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Within this special commission, there is a tendency guided by the United States of America, trying to infringe on Iraq's sovereignty through infringement upon the sovereign sites."
SUPER CAPTION: Saeed al-Sahhaf , Iraqi Foreign Minister

The ongoing confrontation is being followed by the people of Baghdad in its newspapers.

One pro-government Iraqi newspaper said Baghdad's recent decision to allow international observers to visit Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's palaces surpassed Iraq's obligations toward dismantling its weapons.

Daily prayers in Baghdad also provide a vehicle for anti-American feeling to be spread.

One imam (preacher) called for an armed struggle against the Americans saying they should "fight those who do not fear God and don't respect human rights- the Americans."

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