Man shouting "Save me!'' enters U.N. compound
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- An unidentifed man shouting "Save me!'' entered the compound of U.N. arms inspectors on Baghdad's outskirts Saturday morning, in an otherwise unexplained incident.
Journalists outside the compound, a hotel taken over by the United Nations, said the man, in his 20s, climbed into an inspectors' vehicle as it was about to depart from the site, shouting in Arabic.
He was subsequently taken into the fenced compound by U.N. security men, the journalists said. More than 100 inspectors and staff of other U.N. agencies have their offices at the site, the three-story former Canal Hotel, about four miles from the city center.
The spokesman for the U.N. inspection agency, Hiro Ueki, was not immediately available for comment. Iraqi officials said they had no information on the incident.
The incident occurred as inspectors were setting out on their daily rounds of unannounced visits to Iraqi sites to determine whether any work is being done on forbidden weapons.
It came just two days before chief inspectors are to submit reports to the U.N. Security Council on whether Iraq is cooperating with their work, begun in late November.
Although it was not immediately clear whether the unidentified man was somehow linked to the arms investigation, the incident may affect already tense relations between the international monitors and the Iraqi government.
The inspectors have been particularly eager to find Iraqi scientists, engineers or other specialists who may have information about any continuing programs to develop chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, prohibited to Iraq under U.N. resolutions.
The Iraqis have generally cooperated with the inspectors' field missions, but chief inspector Hans Blix has complained about difficulties in other areas, such as Iraq's reluctance to allow overflights by reconnaissance aircraft.
Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Man with Knives Tries to Enter UN Baghdad Office
Sat January 25, 2003 02:19 AM ETBAGHDAD (Reuters) - A man wielding two knives tried to enter the building housing U.N. arms inspectors in Baghdad on Saturday, witnesses said, but was stopped by guards.
A Reuters cameraman and driver saw Iraqi guards and U.N. security stop the man, who held the knives in his hands and appeared to be Iraqi in his twenties.
The weapons inspectors were preparing to leave for daily inspections of Iraqi sites.
Another person jumped into one of the inspectors' cars as it was leaving the headquarters and tried to seize documents before Iraqi guards seized him.
U.N. officials were not available for comment.
This was the first such incident since weapons inspectors resumed their work on November 27 after a four-year absence. The inspections have aroused much resentment among Iraqis.
The inspectors are to deliver a report on their work to the U.N. Security Council on Monday, which could begin a countdown for a possible U.S. invasion to force Iraq to disarm.
Generall cooperated? As in openly lying about the type of weapons they have, refusing inspectors entry into Saddam's many palaces, threatening scientists and their families and sending 'minders' along to intimidate potential interviewees?
I have a low opinion of Blixie...but even I have a hard time believing he said this...at least not in the context this article implies.