Security Council to discuss Iraq in consultations on Thursday

The Security Council plans to meet on Thursday to discuss the humanitarian relief effort for Iraq and hear a report on the United Nations commission charged with monitoring the elimination of the country's weapons of mass destruction, according to the President of the 15-member body.

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, told reporters in New York today that the Council would hear a briefing by Hans Blix, the Executive Chairman of the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), during Thursday's closed consultations. Council members will then conduct their weekly review of the oil-for-food programme, which has been extended through 3 July with a view to changing the sanctions regime at that time.

"Maybe at the end of tomorrow's meeting I can tell you a little bit more about the political direction, or absence of it, which may come out of tomorrow's meeting," Ambassador Chowdhury said.

Reporting on his meeting yesterday with Iraqi Ambassador Mohammed Al-Douri, the President said the two had discussed Baghdad's response to the latest Council action concerning the country. Ambassador Chowdhury said the Iraqi Permanent Representative "reiterated that the oil production has been stopped, oil export has been stopped."

Asked what would happen at the end of the month, Ambassador Chowdhury replied, "Nothing is decided yet -- this is early in the month so let's see," adding, "It will be a difficult and laborious process, that I can assure you."