Iraq will refuse any UN ruling related to its disarmament, the state-run Al-Qadissiyanewspaper reported today.
The paper urged the Security Council to rebalance its attitude to ensure dialogue continues between the two sides.
"Iraq, after having refused resolution 1284, will reject any new unfair resolution" on disarmament, Al-Qadissiyawarned, calling the resumption of dialogue after a two-year hiatus a "progress in relations".
But the paper said the talks' success relied on "the total lifting of the unjust embargo, the immediate halt of attacks and the end of no-fly zones" in the south and north of Iraq.
Iraq began top-level private talks yesterday with the United Nations on breaking the sactions stalemate but took an uncompromising public stance by ruling out resumed arms inspections.
Foreign Minister Mr Mohammad Said al-Sahhaf warned there would be no return for any inspectors in Iraq "even if sanctions are totally lifted."
The talks were the first high-level substantive contact between the two sides since December 1998 when UN arms inspectors left Iraq for the last time.
AFP