Iraqi Parliament condemns U.N. resolution on weapons inspectors

The Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq’s Parliament condemned a tough, new U.N. resolution as full of lies and ill intentions during a special session yesterday in which a senior lawmaker urged rejection of the Security Council directive, a prospect that could prompt an attack by the United States and Britain.

After opening speeches, during which lawmakers applauded every time Saddam’s name was mentioned, members went into closed session for two hours, before adjourning until today. The opening of the emergency meeting was broadcast live on satellite television.

Saddam ordered Parliament to recommend a formal Iraqi response. Iraq has until Friday to accept or reject the resolution, approved unanimously last week by the U.N. Security Council in a fresh attempt to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction or prove that it has none.

Salim al-Koubaisi, head of Parliament’s foreign relations committee, recommended the legislature follow the “wise Iraqi leadership” but advised lawmakers to reject the resolution.

Parliament’s advice on the new U.N. resolution, which demands Iraq cooperate with U.N. weapons inspectors or face “serious consequences,” will go to the Revolutionary Command Council, Iraq’s major executive body headed by Saddam.

Should Parliament recommend acceptance, as expected, it would allow Saddam to claim the decision was the will of the Iraqi people. He then could retreat more easily from previous objections to any new resolution governing weapons inspections.

President Bush’s national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, dismissed the Parliament’s response yesterday and rejected the legitimacy of the Parliament’s debate on the resolution.