Iraq - Kofi Annan arrives

(20 Feb 1998) T/I: 10:50:50 UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Friday (20/02) arrived in Baghdad on a crucial mission to try to persuade Iraq to accept UN weapons inspections without restrictions and thus avoid punitive US air strikes. The UN secretary general was met by Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz. SHOWS: BAGHDAD, IRAQ, 20/2 WS Sunset over airport; Tariq Aziz deputy iraqi prime minister at airport; WS plane on tarmac; vs plane; WS Kofi Annan off plane; greeted by officials; ws same; ms same; CU Annan across tarmac with officials and greeting Aziz; Annan greeting UN humanitarian co-ordinator Denis Halliday; Annan greeting vs officials; vs Annan greeting officials and shaking hands followed by Aziz; WS Aziz and Annan crossing tarmac; WS Annan shaking hands; Annan greeting Steffan de Mistura; ws group into terminal; MS Annan, Aziz in front of microphones; SOT, Annan: "Last came to Baghdad in October 1988, so it's been a long time. Now back on an important mission, I describe it as sacred duty and here on peace mission. I hope talks will permit me and the Iraqi leadership and Saddam Hussein to find a way out of the crisis. As Secretary general I have a judicial and moral obligation to try and reduce international tensions wherever I can. I hope I leave with package that is acceptable to all."; SOT Annan: "I am reasonably optimistic that we will find a peaceful solution." SOT Tariq Aziz: "I would like to welcome Kofi Annan. We are going to enter constructive discussions about the current situation, I share the optimism of the Secretary general about the outcome. What Iraq wants is a balanced and fair solution - a peaceful and fair solution to current situation that preserves the dignity, sovereignty and national security of Iraq as well as the implementation of UN resolutions"; WS Annan and Aziz and officials leave; 5.25 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...