Security Council looking forward to Powell's briefing next week, Annan says

With the Security Council planning to hold a meeting next week to discuss the situation in Iraq, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said anticipation was high for the visit of United States Secretary of State Colin Powell.

"I suspect many of the Foreign Ministers are going to come for that meeting," Mr. Annan told reporters as he entered UN Headquarters in New York. He added that they would discuss Iraq further following the evidence Mr. Powell puts before the Council on 5 February.

"Whether that will change the minds of some members of the Council will depend on the material he puts before them," he said.

As for evidence, the Secretary-General noted that the UN inspectors have made it clear for some time that they would appreciate receiving "actionable information" from governments. "They have received some and I hope they would also use whatever information that is given next week that will be helpful for their work," he said.