Iraq - Journalists go on tour of palaces 

(19 Dec 1997) T/I: 10:44:06
Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz took journalists on a tour of presidential palaces in Baghdad on Friday (19/12) to try to prove they do not contain banned weapons of mass destruction. He said he wanted the world to see that there was nothing to hide.
Iraq has categorically refused to allow inspectors from the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) on disarming Iraq access to so-called "presidential" sites, saying they are a symbol of national sovereignty.
SHOWS:
BAGDAD, IRAQ 19/12
WS Aziz walking with journalist
Question reporter " Why is it important to see these places?/
SOT Tareq Aziz " well you are guests, you are not inspectors."
Question: "will the inspectors go in here"
SOT Tareq Aziz No No ,
Question: " Is it national pride "
SOT Tareq Aziz "Yes it is national pride"
Question: " Do you not want to compromise "
SOT Tareq Aziz "no no compromise."
WS residential buildings;
SOT Aziz (in english) " this is called the Al Hayad building. This is the notorious building which Ritter wanted to inspect at his last leg of inspections in september and our refusal for that inspection led to a fury of the security council so please go and look into this notorious building."
INT of building,
MS painting of Hussein;
man walks through building;
WS empty swimming pool;
CU missile;
CU writing "Down with USA" on missile;
ext palace.
2.43
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives ​​
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...