WILL UNMOVIC USE RUSSIAN LABORATORIES IN IRAQ?

MOSCOW, February 3 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian laboratories will be drawn into the work of the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) in Iraq to analyze samples of the chemical and biological substances coming from that country. Journalists were told this by UNMOVIC acting chairman Dimitrius Perrikos.

According to him, this possibility was discussed during his visit to Moscow. Perrikos stated that "an agreement of principle on this question has been reached. Only administrative moves to begin this work remain."

He also said that the commission he heads is currently preparing a report for the UN Security Council.

Perrikos stayed in Moscow on a working visit. He had meetings in Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the Russian Ammunition Agency. Prospects for resumption by the commission of its activity in Iraq were discussed in the course of the visit.

Perrikos said that the commission intends in principle to continue its work and is now preparing to return to Iraq. But the final decision on this issue must be taken by the UN Security Council.