Iraq says weapons inspectors must be linked to broader issues

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Iraq said Tuesday it was ready to discuss a return of U.N. weapons inspectors, but only in a broader context of ending sanctions and restoring Iraqi sovereignty over all its territory.

The comments -- repeating a stance that U.N. chief Kofi Annan has rejected in the past -- came at a World Summit here that has seen several world leaders sharply criticize U.S. threats to attack Iraq.

European allies have expressed reservations about any U.S. attack to oust Saddam. Russia said Monday it would veto any measure for military action against Baghdad that comes up before the U.N. Security Council.

Annan on Tuesday met with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, urging him to comply with Security Council resolutions, which call for the unconditional return of inspectors, Annan's spokeswoman said.

Resuming inspections "in turn will lead to a comprehensive solution, including the lifting of sanctions," Annan's office said.

But Aziz repeated a previous Iraqi position that an agreement to bring back the inspectors must also deal with other issues, including lifting sanctions, restoring Iraqi rule over all its territory and ending U.S. threats.