BAGHDAD, Feb 25 Kyodo A senior Ir...

BAGHDAD, Feb 25 Kyodo

A senior Iraqi restraint official told a Japanese delegation in succession Tuesday that Iraq is considering destroying Al-Samoud-2 missiles as directed at U.N. arms inspectors if it can avert war.

Iraqi presidential adviser Amir al-Saadi represented the view in a meeting with a collection of legislators from the Democratic Party of Japan l according to DPJ Vice President Hajime Ishii.

Al-Saadi said Iraqi authorities are carefully discussing the issue of missile destruction and will incantation out Iraq's position in sum of two units days.

Chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix ordered Iraq last Friday to begin destroying the short-range Al-Samoud-2 missiles and associated equipment through this Saturday.

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein reportedly told CB recents on Monday that Iraq would not quench the missiles, arguing the Al-Samoud-2 missiles do not have the range banned on the United Nations.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Kyodo just discovereds International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group