The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Fred Eckhard, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
**Questions and Answers
Question: Iraq's Deputy Prime Minster Tariq-Aziz told reporters today that Iraq won't cooperate with Security Council resolution 1284 [on the issue of chemical weapons inspection]. Do you have any comment on that?
Spokesman: Well, that's not a new declaration; it's been their standing policy for some time. Our position is that we will continue to prepare for a new round of inspections. We are training the team. We have reconstituted the Commission, and we hope that Iraq will change its position and cooperate with the Security Council so that we can get these inspections going once again. We hope that eventually we can get to a position where we can declare Iraq in full compliance and lift the sanctions against that country.