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Iraq

No illicit weapons found so far but more 'credible' proof from Iraq needed - Blix

After 11 weeks of inspections, United Nations monitors have not found any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but Baghdad still needs to show "credible" evidence that such arms do not exist, a top UN disarmament official told the Security Council today.
In progress report to a ministerial-level meeting of the Council, Hans Blix, who is in charge of the biological, chemical and ballistic weapons profile, said that after more than 400 inspections at over 300 sites around the country, the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) has so far found only a small number of empty chemical munitions that should have been declared and destroyed.

"Another matter, and one of great significance, is that many proscribed weapons and items are not accounted for," said Mr. Blix, Executive Chairman of UNMOVIC. "One must not jump to the conclusion that they exist; however, that possibility is not excluded. If they exist they should be presented for destruction. If they do not exist, credible evidence to that effect should be presented." (more to follow)