SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCLUDES CONSULTATIONS WITH PERMANENT MEMBERS OF SECURITY COUNCIL, LEAVES FOR BAGHDAD ON FRIDAY
Press Release
SG/SM/6469
IK/243
SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCLUDES CONSULTATIONS WITH PERMANENT MEMBERS OF SECURITY COUNCIL, LEAVES FOR BAGHDAD ON FRIDAY
19980217 Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's statement today to correspondents and his response to their questions, following his meetings this afternoon with the Permanent Representatives of the permanent and non- permanent members of the Security Council concerning Iraq:The SECRETARY-GENERAL: Good evening, once again. This is becoming a daily occurrence. I just wanted to share with you the fact that I have had a very constructive meeting this afternoon with Permanent Representatives of the permanent members of the Security Council and subsequently with those of the non-permanent members. I believe I now have a clear basis on which to brief the Security Council tomorrow and prepare to proceed for Baghdad.
An advance team will leave tonight to prepare the ground for my visit. I expect to arrive in Baghdad on Friday, with the support of the entire Security Council, and to conduct discussions this weekend to attempt to resolve the crisis.
It is my hope that we can achieve a diplomatic solution that will ensure the full implementation of all the Security Council resolutions. Thank you.
QUESTION: Do you have the stomach to be tough with President Saddam Hussein?
The SECRETARY-GENERAL: What type of tough stomach does one need to deal with him? I think I do.
QUESTION: Est-ce que le mandat que vous avez n'est pas trop contraignant? Et aurez-vous une marge de manoeuvre nécessaire?
The SECRETARY-GENERAL: Oui.
QUESTION: You have a trip. Do you have a deal?
The SECRETARY-GENERAL: I would say I have both. I have both.
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QUESTION: Would you be going anywhere else after Baghdad?
The SECRETARY-GENERAL: I would be coming straight back to New York to report to the Security Council and brief you.
QUESTION: The United States Permanent Representative, Ambassador Bill Richardson, said that they reserve the right to an "alternative conclusion" -- to use his words. Obviously, the United States is the most relevant party in this effort. You seem now to be going very much on your own. What are the ingredients of success, and what is your greatest fear?
The SECRETARY-GENERAL: First of all, I did not ask for a mandate. Right from the beginning, I was acting on the basis of the Secretary-General's authority and my desire to use my good offices. I know that there have been reports in the newspapers that the Secretary-General was blocked by this country or that country and is not allowed to go. I don't know the basis for that. I did not approach anybody for permission to go. What we did discuss, what I wanted, was an understanding and a basis that will help my mission and make it successful -- that if I came back with something everybody will be on board.
QUESTION: Will you address then the issue of the ingredients of a formula for success?
The SECRETARY-GENERAL: I don't think I want to get into that at this stage.
QUESTION: You said you have a trip and a deal. On what basis do you say you have a deal?
The SECRETARY-GENERAL: I did tell you that I needed to have the mission prepared very carefully both here and in Baghdad with a reasonable chance of success, and when I have that basis I would be prepared to travel. I didn't want to just jump on a plane and have a trip, and this is what we are talking about.
QUESTION : Est-ce que vous pourriez répéter en français votre dernier commentaire Monsieur le Secrétaire général à propos de votre mandat?
The SECRETARY-GENERAL : J'ai dit à tout le monde que si l'on arrive à avoir, non pas une position commune, mais disons un accord entre nous, les cinq membres permanents et moi-même, je serais prêt à partir pour Bagdhad et que la mission devrait être bien préparée, pas seulement ici à New York, mais aussi à Bagdhad. Nous avons utilisé ces dernières semaines à parvenir à cela et je crois que maintenant je suis prêt à partir.
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