Iraq rejects British proposal

Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri today dismissed Britain’s compromise UN proposal, calling it “an attempt to beautify a rejected aggressive project.”

“It’s trying to polish this project, which has been rejected by the majority of Security Council members,” Sabri said in Baghdad.

Asked about divisions in the Security Council, Sabri said it wasn’t divided at all.

“These are not divisions. There is a majority on the Security Council rejecting the policy of war adopted by British and American evil,” he said. “This majority adheres to peace.”

Asked why the United States was insisting on a Security Council resolution authorising war, Sabri said: “The United States with its policy of aggression wants international cover for this aggression.”

He also said a high-level Arab peace mission that was scheduled to travel to Baghdad this week would not come, although he said Iraq had not rejected the visit.

“We did not refuse to receive the Arab committee,” Sabri said. “They are coming not for tourism. They are coming for work, and this requires measures.”

“We are trying to agree on a time appropriate for both sides,” he added.

The Arab delegation had been scheduled to travel to Baghdad tomorrow