Iraq's neighbours seek ways to avert war

Fearful that Saddam Hussein’s overthrow may lead to chaos in the region, Iraq’s neighbours met in Turkey today to discuss ways to avert a conflict and urge Baghdad to cooperate more with arms inspectors.

Turkey has proposed that the meeting adopt a joint declaration calling on Iraq to fully cooperate with the inspectors and declare that it will not develop weapons of mass destruction in the future, a Turkish diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity.