ElBaradei calls for "dramatic steps" (Says televised speech promising cooperation could save Saddam)

Agence France-Presse | March 10, 2003

[HAL9000]

CAIRO (Reuters) - The head of the U.N. nuclear agency in remarks published on Monday urged Iraq to take dramatic steps to show cooperation with weapons inspectors, warning that time was running out to avoid war.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei said President Saddam Hussein could take a lead in showing more determination to cooperate with inspectors searching for banned weapons, which Baghdad says it does not have.

"What's required is a dramatic change in spirit and sincerity. As for how President Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi leadership undertake this, we don't know," ElBaradei said in an interview with the Arabic-language newspaper al-Hayat.

"The Iraqi president (could) himself announce on television that he is prepared for complete cooperation and that he is giving directives to all Iraqi officials to cooperate completely and present all the documents they have, or even if they have weapons, to reveal them."

ElBaradei said he had asked a delegation of Arab foreign ministers due to head to Iraq this week to urge Baghdad to take "dramatic steps".

"I still feel that the war is not inevitable. But without doubt we are drawing near," he said. "The two coming weeks will be decisive and the ball is still in Iraq's court."

The United States, which has massed forces in the Gulf, is pressing the U.N. Security Council give Iraq a March 17 ultimatum to disarm or face war.

[dennisw]

ElBaradei = Saddam's Muslim stooge. Why was an Arab Muslim put in such a sensitive position? Like I keep telling you all, Muslims run the UN. Via payoffs etc. The 3rd world delegates dance to the Islamic tune.