PRESS ENCOUNTER WITH KOFI ANNAN
UN SECRETARY GENERAL

UNITED NATIONS

August 8, 2002

Excerpts

Q: Saddam Hussein's speech in Iraq, the tone and what it does for the relationship with the UN?

SG: Well, I heard it also on the news, and at this stage it seems as if they are not giving in an inch, but I think we are at early stages yet.

Q: How do you respond to his statement that the UN must honour its obligations?

SG: That is not new. In effect, this is what was part of the nineteen questions they gave to the UN earlier this year. In effect, it is a repetition of the questions which were circulated to the [Security] Council members.

. . .

Q: Should Saddam Hussein give up on his nineteen questions? Should he not expect them since you tried to get answers from the Council?

SG: I think that is an issue for the Council members to answer, and in fact some of the questions I am not sure the Council as a whole can answer. It looks as if they were directed to individual member states.

Q: You haven't received any reply from Iraq, have you?

SG: No, I haven't. I have got some answers through the public pronouncements, but no formal reply yet.

. . .