September 16, 2002
Mr. Kofi Annan,
The Secretary General of the United Nations
Dear Secretary- General,
I have the honour to refer to the series of discussions held between Your Excellency and the Government of the Republic
of Iraq on the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions on the question of Iraq which took place in New
York on 7 March and 2 May and in Vienna on 4 July 2002, as well as the talks which were held in your office in New York
on 14 and 15 September 2002, with the participation of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.
I am pleased to inform you of the decision of the Government of the Republic of Iraq to allow the return of the United
Nations weapons inspectors to Iraq without conditions.
The Government of the Republic of Iraq has responded, by this decision, to your appeal, to the appeal of the
Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, as well as those of Arab, Islamic and other friendly countries.
The Government of the Republic of Iraq has based its decision concerning the return of inspectors on its desire to
complete the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions and to remove any doubts that Iraq still
possesses weapons of mass destruction . This decision is also based on your statement to the General Assembly on 12
September 2002 that the decision by the Government of the Republic of Iraq is the indispensable first step towards an
assurance that Iraq no longer possesses weapons of mass destruction and, equally importantly, towards a comprehensive
solution that includes the lifting of the sanctions imposed on Iraq and the timely implementation of other provisions of
the relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 687(1991). To this end, the Government of the Republic
of Iraq is ready to discuss the practical arrangements necessary for the immediate resumption of inspections.
In this context, the Government of the Republic of Iraq reiterates the importance of the commitment of all Member States
of the Security Council and the United Nations to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political
independence of Iraq, as stipulated in the relevant Security Council resolutions and article (II) of the Charter of the
United Nations.
I would be grateful if you bring this letter to the attention of the Security Council members.
Please accept, Mr. Secretary-General the assurances of my highest consideration.
Dr. Naji Sabri
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Iraq