U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's trip to Baghdad this weekend may be the last chance to find a diplomatic solution to the standoff over Iraq's refusal to grant U.N. weapons inspections, Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi told Annan by telephone Thursday, ministry officials said.
Annan told Obuchi that it is desirable to avoid the use of force, but that Iraq must fully comply with U.N. resolutions regarding the inspection of sites believed to be holding weapons of mass destruction, the officials said. Obuchi also said Iraq's full and unconditional compliance is essential, according to the officials.
Vice Foreign Minister Shunji Yanai, meanwhile, summoned Iraqi Charge d'Affaires Muhsin Ali to the ministry and told him Annan's visit will be a crucial occasion for a diplomatic solution, they said. Yanai told Ali he is concerned that should Annan's visit end in failure, the consequences would be serious, the officials said.