DATE=02/27/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N-Iraq Talks End (L Only)

NUMBER=2-273096

BYLINE=Breck Ardery

DATELINE=United Nations

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Iraq's Foreign Minister, Mohammed Al-Sahaf, says two days of talks with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan were the beginning of an ongoing dialogue. However, as VOA Correspondent Breck Ardery reports, Mr. Al-Sahaf again firmly ruled out the return of U-N weapons inspectors to Iraq.

TEXT: After concluding the last round of talks, Mr. Al-Sahaf told reporters the Secretary-General mostly listened as the Iraqi delegation presented its positions in detail. The Iraqi Foreign Minister announced no major breakthroughs but did express encouragement that what he calls a "dialogue" with the United Nations has begun. He said another round of meetings will probably take place in a few weeks.

The two biggest issues, of course, involve international sanctions against Iraq and Iraq's refusal to allow U-N weapons inspectors in the country as called for in Security Council resolution 1284. Mr. Al-Sahaf had a definite answer when asked if he has any plans to meet with Hans Blix, the head of the weapons inspection commission.

///Al-Sahaf act///

Not at all. Hans Blix is a detail and we are not dealing with a detail. You know our position in regard to resolution 1284. We are not going to deal with it and Mr. Blix is a detail of that bad resolution.

///end act///

Earlier, Mr. Al-Sahaf dismissed as "stupid" a proposal by American Secretary of State Colin Powell to modify the sanctions against Iraq. Mr. Powell said restrictions on civilian items could be eased while sanctions against armaments are tightened.

U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan had no immediate public comment on the two days of talks with the Iraqi delegation. Mr. Annan will brief the U-N Security Council on the talks in a closed meeting on Wednesday.(Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/PT