Iraq links inspectors to sanctions

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Talks between Iraq and the United Nations should put as much importance on lifting sanctions and ending no-fly zones as on sending back weapons inspectors, the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister said.

The U.S. and Britain are enforcing no-fly zones in northern and southern Iraq, set up soon after the 1991 Gulf War to protect a Kurdish enclave in the north and Shiite Muslims in the south from possible attacks by Baghdad forces.

Sanctions were imposed on Iraq in August 1990 as punishment for its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz said: "Singling out the question of inspectors is wrong.

"There are many items (the United Nations should discuss): the sanctions, the no-fly zones and the continuous aggression and violation of international law by the United States and United Kingdom.

"All these matters should be addressed, not just one item. The focus is on one subject (the return of inspectors) as if it were the only concern."

Iraq's Foreign Minister Naji Sabri and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan ended a meeting in New York on Thursday which aimed to allow inspectors back into Iraq. Another meeting is set for April.

Asked whether Iraq would let the inspectors return, Aziz said: "As far as our position (is concerned) nothing has changed."

Iraq has banned U.N. arms experts, hunting for weapons of mass destruction, from returning since they left on the eve of a U.S. and British bombing campaign in December 1998.

The U.S. wants the U.N. inspectors to return to check if Baghdad is developing weapons of mass destruction.