Press encounter upon arrival at (unofficial transcript)

SG: I see you get up so early. Let me say that I am looking forward to my discussions with the Foreign Minister. I hope they are coming in a constructive spirit, and we will be discussing the Council resolutions and their implementation. I don't think I can say more. We will find out at the end of the talks.

Q: Tell us a bit about the items on the agenda that are most important for you.

SG: Obviously, we are going to be discussing the implementation of the Security Council resolutions, and we will be pressing for the return of the Inspectors.

Q: This is the first time Dr. Blix will be in the talks - what does that mean? Where will you take it? Is that the priority - the return of the inspectors?

SG: The question of the inspectors and return of the inspectors has been one of the key bone of contentions between the United Nations and Iraq, and I would hope that - and they also have a disarmament expert on their team - that we will be able to get into that subject. And you would also notice that this is the first time the Chief of the Inspection Team has been part of the discussion.

Q: With or without linkage or association with the suspension of sanctions or any sort of thing like 1284.

SG: We are talking about implementation of Security Council resolutions. The eventual suspension of sanctions, once Iraq has performed, is part of the discussion.

Q: Mr. Secretary-General, how important are these talks in the series of talks in staving off any future military action or a widening conflict in the region?

SG: I wouldn't want to see a widening conflict in the region. I think we have our hands full with the tragedy that is going there already. So I would want to see a situation where we are able to resolve our differences diplomatically and that Iraq comes into compliance. And we can move on on this. If that is done I don't think the Council will take any further action, but let the resolutions stand and move ahead with its implication.

Q: Do you think he comes with that spirit?

SG: I haven't met him yet. I hope - I am getting indications from some sources and some governments close to Iraq - governments who are friendly with Iraq, that Iraq is coming in that spirit, or they sense some flexibility on the part of Iraq. But I will find out in a couple of hours.

Q: What impact do you think US threats, failed or otherwise, may have had in propelling them to the table or should have in terms of a role in getting them to sit down?

SG: There are some who believe that the threats have propelled them to demand the talks. But I really do not know. As you are all aware the Secretary-General of the Arab League Amre Moussa was in Baghdad to discuss this issue with them. And he was the one who initiated the steps that led to this meeting that we are going to hold this morning. I know that regional leaders would want to see this issue settled peacefully. And they are all looking forward to a positive outcome that they would also ensure to take it up in Beirut in the Arab Summit. *****