Q: [inaudible]

SG: Well, as you know, this is the third round and I'm looking forward to a very constructive discussion with the Iraqi Foreign Minister and I hope we will leave here with some conclusive decisions.

Q: Did you give him the answers he asked the Security Council, Sir?

SG: I'll be discussing that with him in the chamber.

Q: Did you give him the answers, Sir?

SG: I said I'll be discussing that with him in the chamber. I know he is very interested just as you are.

Q: What's the most important issue for you in these talks?

SG: I think one of the key issues is to see how we get the inspectors in and how soon we can get them in. And of course, as you know, the Iraqi delegation has other concerns that we will be discussing. But of course the Council is very anxious to get the inspectors in. They haven't been there for over three years. And we'll be discussing that.

Q: Mr. Secretary-General, with talks of America's strikes against Iraq what is the relevance of these talks? Are they important and if so, why?

SG: First of all, I'm guided by Security Council resolutions and that is what is propelling me. The discussions in Washington and the US Government action is not what has brought me here.

Q: Mr. Annan, will you discuss with the Iraqi Minister the possibility to end the sanctions?

SG: Obviously, that is part of the Security Council resolutions. Iraq is to disarm and once that is done sanctions will be lifted and the discussions on conditions and when and how the sanctions will be lifted will be part of the discussions. Thank you very much.