Two sessions planned for Annan's talks with Iraqi Foreign Minister tomorrow

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is expected to meet the Iraqi Foreign Minister in two sessions during their talks tomorrow at UN Headquarters in News York, a UN spokesman said today.

Responding to questions from the press, spokesman Fred Eckhard said the plan had changed from a one-meeting format, as previously announced.

"Although the starting time is still 10:30, I indicated that they would continue for three or three and a half hours, [but] it now looks like they will go for less than that - perhaps two, two and a half hours," he said. "There will then be a break and then there will be a second session."

"The Secretary-General will lay out his position, the Iraqis will lay out theirs, there will be discussion, there will be a break for reflection - possibly for consultation with Baghdad - and then back for a second session," said Mr. Eckhard.

Asked to characterize Mr. Annan's negotiating position, the spokesman said it would be difficult to predict "how this meeting is going to go." The Secretary-General, he stressed, hoped the discussions would be focused on implementing Security Council mandates on Iraq.

"The broad subject is implementation of [Security Council] resolutions; the precise subject on everyone's mind is the return of the weapons inspectors," said the spokesman. "He will do his part, and then he will await their reaction."