SG: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. We have just concluded the third round of talks with the Iraqi Foreign Minister and his delegation. We had a constructive discussion, including at the technical level. The discussions focused on the remaining disarmament issues, at the suggestion of the Iraqi delegation, and on the practical arrangements should inspections resume, at the suggestion of UNMOVIC.

The Iraqi delegation will go back, obviously, to report to its authorities. I will remain in contact with the Security Council with respect to Iraq's expressed wish for a comprehensive settlement and answers to the questions it posed last March.

As indicated earlier, Iraq had agreed to return the Kuwaiti archives and other documents and we have agreed to reestablish the mechanism that existed for transfer of such material between [1991 and 1996]. Finally, we have agreed to continue our contacts, including continuing discussions at the technical level and on technical matters.

I will take your questions.

Q: Was there any response to the international community's desire to get UN international weapons inspectors back into Iraq?

SG: Well we did discuss that. That issue was discussed. And, as I have indicated here, we discussed the disarmament issue and also the practical arrangements, should the inspectors go back. We've given a lot of information to the Iraqis and, as I said, they have to report back and we are going to remain in contact and continue discussions at the technical level.

Q: [inaudible] clearly they said no to you?

SG: Well, they haven't said yes yet.

Q: Can you tell us if you are you in the middle of the road or you are reaching the end?

SG: You said if I am in the middle of the road?

Q: Are you in the middle of the process with the Iraqis or are you ending?

SG: I think, as I have indicated, they are going to report back and we maintain our contacts. And I think it's following the outcome of those contacts that I will know where we go.

Q: The Iraqis came here saying they wanted a comprehensive, complete answer to the package including no-fly zones, sanctions lifting and American threats to Iraq. Now they understand you haven't got the mandate to deal with this. What was the whole conference all about? Why can't they address the Security Council directly if you have no mandate to speak about this?

SG: We have discussed a range of issues. We've discussed the disarmament issues and the return of the inspectors and we've given them quite a lot of technical information and I indicated they will go back.

Q: You haven't answered the question, Sir. They didn't get the answers?

SG: They didn't get it and I've explained it to them why and they know why.

Q: I understand that you've been alerted to the report in the New York times on military plans by the US to invade Iraq, was it mentioned in the talks and did it impact them?

SG: It is difficult for me to say how it has influenced the discussions. But of course, this is a discussion that has been going on also in Iraq. And I am sure they read the article too and the Minister is aware of the article. And of course, the question that has been posed is what impact would the return of inspectors have on the plans that you've referred to. And it's a question that is very much on their minds.

Q: Did it have an impact on the talks?

SG: I will not be surprised.

Q: [inaudible]. The negotiation has been delayed, there's no result?

SG: It's your word.

Q: You thought that this round of talks should be decisive and the talks should not go on forever. Why then do you think these talks should continue?

SG: I think I have answered that question by indicating that we went through quite a lot of material, including the practical arrangements and the disarmament issues that we discussed. Some of it, as they have indicated, is putting enhanced demands on them and they need to go back home and consult.

Q: You wanted to have decisive results in this round, Mr. Secretary-General. What is the main obstacle to having achieved that goal?

SG: Well, as I have indicated to you, the Iraqi delegation has to go back and consult. There were other issues that they have indicated that they would want to see a comprehensive settlement. But I think on the disarmament aspects, I think we've come a long way by giving explanations and the discussions with my top technical team here and they also came with their senior and experienced team and I hope they will report back. And, as I have indicated, contacts will be maintained, particularly including and possibly discussions at the technical level.

Q: How many more rounds are necessary?

SG: That I cannot tell you. I haven't told you how many more rounds I am going to have.

Q: Mr. Secretary-General, what was the reaction of the Iraqi delegation concerning your answers, especially from the political point of view and the point of disarmament.

SG: I don't quite understand the question.

Q: What was the reaction of the Iraqi delegation on your answers - 19 questions?

SG: I think I have indicated to them that I have been in touch with the Council and talked to some of the countries bilaterally and I do not have the answers for them to the issues of the no-fly zone and the US discussions of regime change. That is not a Security Council policy that the Council members are dealing with.

Q: Do you feel there's been any movement, do you feel like you've taken a step forward?

SG: There has been some movement, obviously not enough. I would have preferred to move further and maybe at this stage for us to have come to a conclusive decision which you refer to. But from what I have indicated to you, this has not been possible at this meeting.

Q: What can be done diplomatically? [inaudible]. Are there any diplomatic means left?

SG: The way you are putting your question, you imply that this meeting or this discussion is closed. And I have indicated that we are going to stay in contacts and the Minister is going to report back. And I hope once they have reported, depending on what they come back with..., and I have also indicated the technical discussions will continue. If you talk of diplomatic ..., and I think there are lots of discussions going on, lots of governments have indicated their feeling. Whether this will have an impact on the plans, your guess is as good as mine.

Q: What were the main stumbling blocks [inaudible]?

SG: First of all, we mustn't forget that we've been in this situation for many years and there has been almost a total lack of contact on these issues for several years. And we started discussing the issue; we've had three meetings this year. And the Iraqi delegation has indicated that there are complicated issues for them that they need to go back and consult and I think I cannot force a decision. I have to let them manage their own process.

Q: How does the US threat complicate your work here?

SG: I think I've answered that question.

Q: When will the next round of talks take place?

SG: We haven't set a date or place yet.

Q: When do you think this next meeting will be and which place?

SG: I just answered that question. Thank you very much.

Q: [Inaudible - concerning a US threat to attack Iraq]

SG: First of all I'm not sure if the US has taken a decision to attack or not and so I'm not here to stop an attack, I'm here to get the inspectors in and as I have indicated I'm waiting for the Minister to get back to me. *****