UNITED NATIONS, Sept 18: Pakistan on Wednesday joined most members of the international community in expressing hope that following Iraq’s unconditional acceptance of weapons inspection the use of force against Iraq could be averted.

In a statement at the Organization of Islamic Conference meeting, Minister of State for Foreign affairs Inam ul Haq hoped that following Saddam Hussein’s unconditional acceptance of the inspectors, the use of force could be avoided.

The major topic at the UN in these last few days has been the possibility of the use of force against Iraq following President Bush’s virtual ultimatum.

Pakistan has expressed its support for the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions.

The danger of a military attack against Iraq is not considered imminent but reportedly the Americans have openly enlarged their demands beyond the acceptance of inspectors. These are now 16 requirements contained in various resolutions which Iraq will have to fulfil to avoid unspecified action the US had threatened to take.

Mr Haque, held a series of meetings with a large number of foreign ministers. These include: Kazakhstan, China, Ukraine, Romania, UK Germany, Vietnam, Chile, Cuba, Australia, Bangladesh, Switzerland, Lao Republic, Spain, Luxembourg, Tunisia, Cambodia, Morocco, Libya, Philippines, Algeria, Jordan and Turkey.

Mr Haq is also lobbying delegates and diplomats here to elicit support for Pakistan’s diplomatic stance and to secure the maximum possible support for Pakistan’s election to the Security Council. Elections which will be held on Sept 27.

At a meeting of OIC on Wednesday, Inam-ul-Haque, has reiterated Pakistanis principled position on Kashmir.

He called for immediate withdrawal of forces; end of Indian repression and resumption of an Indo-Pakistan dialogue.

Mr Haq asked the OIC to act to prevent the massacre of Indian Muslims as happened in Gujarat. He also expressed Pakistan’s concern regarding the need to create conditions of comprehensive security in Afghanistan as well as in the Middle East. He hoped that following Saddam Hussein’s unconditional acceptance of the inspectors, the use of force could be avoided.

The OIC foreign ministers adopted a Final Communique on Tuesday evening which affirms the OICs support to a resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It also calls for immediate de-escalation of forces and a dialogue between India and Pakistan.

Kashmiri leader Mir Waiz Umar Farooq also addressed the OIC ministerial meeting, calling on India to engage in a genuine dialogue to resolve the problems and to halt its violations of human rights in Kashmir.