JEDDAH, 20 August — Saudi Arabia yesterday warned that an attack on neighboring Iraq could lead to a human catastrophe and destabilize the Gulf region and called for diplomacy and more talks to defuse the situation. The warning came after the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by Prince Abdullah, the regent, and a day after the Kingdom and Yemen reiterated their opposition to a possible US strike on Iraq.
“The Cabinet expressed concern over developments in the region, which threaten a war with undesirable results,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted Acting Information Minister Dr. Madani Allaki as saying.
The war could “threaten peace, security and stability in the region and the world, and cause a human catastrophe,” the Cabinet said. The Cabinet called for diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis, but urged all parties to implement UN resolutions to establish peace and stability in the region.
The statement affirmed that “avoiding hasty actions, turning to wisdom and allowing diplomatic efforts” would provide opportunities for objective dialogue and ease regional tension.
Saudi Arabia has refused to let any US attack on Iraq be launched from its territory. US President George W. Bush has labeled Iraq part of an “axis of evil” for allegedly seeking weapons of mass destruction and has vowed to oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Iraq, under crippling UN sanctions since its 1990 invasion of Kuwait, says it has no weapons of mass destruction and wants the sanctions to be lifted.
A UN spokesman said in New York yesterday that the UN Security Council has decided against taking any immediate action on a letter from the Iraqi government on the possible resumption of UN arms inspections..
In Baghdad, the Iraqi Parliament yesterday unanimously approved President Saddam’s uncontested candidacy for another seven-year term which is to be put to a referendum set for Oct. 15. In a show of hands, the 250-member house approved the recommendation of the Revolution Command Council which on Thursday nominated Saddam.
