Iraq invites UN 'Kuwaiti missing' envoy

Families all over Kuwait are searching for their relatives

By Mark Doyle BBC world affairs correspondent in New York

Iraq has for the first time invited to Baghdad the United Nations official responsible for accounting for missing persons and war property taken from Kuwait during the Iraqi occupation in 1990-1991.

The invitation is seen by the UN as a positive sign that the Iraqis are co-operating on this issue

Until now, the Iraqis have not allowed the official, Yuli Vorontsov, to visit the country and have accused him of making statements hostile to them.

No date has yet been set for the visit, but UN officials say they already see one major potential problem.

Iraq recently announced a general amnesty for prisoners, and this, the officials say, would allow Baghdad to maintain that they do not know the whereabouts of missing Kuwaitis.

'Positive sign'

When Iraq invaded Kuwait, Kuwaiti palaces were looted and prisoners were taken.

More than 30 countries helped in the liberation of Kuwait

Apart from the emotionally charged issue of missing people, the Kuwaiti National Archive was stolen, including the politically crucial document that established Kuwait as a sovereign nation.

Parts of this archive were returned to Kuwait two months ago, but Iraq says it also has other items.

They include a ceremonial Smith & Wesson revolver inscribed with the name of the Emir of Kuwait, gold-encrusted dinner plates and a variety of works of art.

The invitation is seen by the United Nations as a positive sign that the Iraqis are co-operating on this issue, but final judgement will depend on what is actually achieved.