Brookings Scholars to Hold Media Conference Call on Iraq's Declaration on Weapons of Mass Destruction

12/6/2002

From: Colin Johnson of the Brookings Institution, 202-797-6310 Web site: http://www.brookings.edu

News Advisory:

WHAT: Press Conference Call on Iraq -- Brookings Scholars to Hold Media Conference Call on Iraq's Declaration on Weapons of Mass Destruction

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 9 11 a.m. EST 1-888-273-9889

WHO: -- MARTIN INDYK, director, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, and Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies, Brookings

-- KENNETH POLLACK, director of Research, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, and Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies, Brookings

-- Members of the media may access the conference call by dialing 888-273-9889 and asking for the "UN Arms Report on Iraq," or conference No. 664369. For those unable to participate live, the call will be replayed in its entirety for the 24 hours following by dialing 800-475-6701, and entering 664369.

UN weapons inspectors have been on the ground in Iraq since November 25, when they returned to the country to look for illicit weapons for the first time in almost four years. By December 8, Iraq is expected to issue a report to the United Nations outlining all of the weapons it possesses. Meanwhile, the Bush administration has demanded Iraq's full compliance with the UN resolutions and full disclosure of its weapons of mass destruction.

Iraq's response to the December 8 deadline could help decide whether or not, and how soon, the United States goes to war against Baghdad. Under UN Security Council Resolution 1441, passed November 8, Iraq must provide "an accurate, full, final, and complete disclosure" of its programs to develop chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles.

Iraq has repeatedly denied that it possesses any weapons of mass destruction, yet the Bush administration has insisted that it does, and that it must disclose them in compliance with the UN resolution. If the Iraqi declaration fails to list existing weapons and weapons sites, it could constitute a "material breach" of the resolution, which the U.S. government may consider a reason for military action against Iraq.

CONTACT: Colin Johnson, Brookings Chief Media Relations Officer, 202-797-6310