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German envoy praises Zayed's Iraq initiative

ABU DHABI - German ambassador Alexander Muhlen yesterday praised the efforts of the President, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, at times of crises during the recent US-led military attack on Iraq.

Mr Muhlen also commended Shaikh Zayed's firm stance on the need to preserve the sovereignity of Iraq and his view that the power be transferred to the people of Iraq in order to establish their own government.

Speaking at the Zayed Centre for Coordination and Follow-up, Mr Muhlen said that the initiative of Shaikh Zayed in the form of his appeal to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, in a sincere bid to avert the war, unfortunately did not receive due acceptance and was not put up on the agenda of the last Arab Summit conference held in Sharm El Shaikh.

The envoy also lauded the solidarity of the people of the UAE with the Iraqis and the prompt measures in providing humanitarian relief, medicines and food.

He said in this context that the UN inspectors should return to Iraq to complete their job, so that international sanctions on Iraq can be lifted, while expressing doubts over Iraq having weapons of mass destruction.

"The UN is the only authority that can preserve order and lift sanctions on Iraq," he said, calling for the return of UN to Iraq. He also expressed doubts over the establishment of real democracy in Iraq in the near future, unless the UN, the Arab League and the Iraqi people assume effective roles.

He also commented that the relations between Europe and the US are now moving towards cooperation rather than confrontation.

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