24 February 1998


Press Release
GA/SM/31


ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES SECRETARY-GENERAL ON CONCLUSION OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ

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The following statement was issued today by a spokesman for the President of the General Assembly, Hennadiy Udovenko (Ukraine):

The President of the General Assembly has expressed congratulations to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan with the conclusion of the memorandum of understanding with the Government of Iraq on the issue of United Nations weapons inspections during his successful visit to Iraq.

The President has been particularly inspired to know that United Nations diplomacy has brought about concrete results, and that the threat of aggravation of the situation has been averted. He also expressed hope that this achievement will lay a new basis for a future United Nations-Iraqi relations, which will be based on mutual trust, understanding and respect for the international law.

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