BAGHDAD, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan said Tuesday that U.S. military action against Iraq would not be deterred by Baghdad accepting the return of arms inspectors.
In an interview with the magazine Al-Rafidain, Ramadan said nevertheless Iraq was ready to discuss the inspectors' return with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
"We say the mission of the inspectors was completed, while they (the United Nations) say it was not completed. That is why we have to sit down and discuss the matter and evaluate the situation, because enough is enough," he added.
Ramadan said he expected Washington would come up with new pretexts to strike at Iraq if the latter agreed to allow the arms inspectors back. Previous U.S. attacks, he said, were caused by the inspectors and their provocations.
He accused the inspectors of acting as spies for the United States after causing destruction and devastation over seven and a half years until they were expelled in December 1988.
"They have completed their mission in Iraq and there is nothing left for them to inspect," Ramadan said.
