IRAQ: A series of proposals to disarm Iraq by peaceful means that Germany and France will deliver to the United Nations on February 14th appears to hinge on sending UN peacekeepers to Iraq.
According to German news weekly Der Spiegel, which broke news of the initiative, the proposals focus on the following main points:
The number of weapons inspectors in Iraq to be increased from 100 to at least 300. Peacekeeping troops would ensure the inspectors could work safely and without interference. They would also erect road blocks to control suspect vehicles.
The no-fly zone to be expanded to all of Iraq and legalised by the UN
The no-fly zone to be patrolled by French Mirage jets, unmanned German Luna drones and American U2 spy planes
Iraqi airplanes to require international permission before taking off
A permanent UN co-ordination centre to be set up in Iraq for weapons inspections and perhaps naming a "permanent coordinator" from the United Nations
A reworking of sanctions to punish Saddam Hussein, not the Iraqi people
Agreements with Iraq's neighbours to be set down outlawing the sale of smuggled Iraqi oil
A special UN court to rule on future Iraqi breaches of UN resolution
