Agreement To Free Pows Reported

Sun., May 26, 1996

Compiled From Wire Services

Iraq has reached an agreement with the United Nations to free hundreds of prisoners from the Persian Gulf War, a pro-government newspaper reported Saturday.

A deal to release Kuwaiti and other prisoners of war would move Baghdad one step closer to satisfying U.N. Security Council conditions for lifting crippling trade sanctions imposed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990.

Iraq has persistently denied it is holding prisoners of war, but authorities say 544 Kuwaitis and 65 other foreigners are in custody.

The agreement would give Baghdad a face-saving device to release the captives without having to admit that it had detained them.

The Al-Siyassah daily quoted “informed” Western diplomats in Jordan who said the prisoners of war have been asked to fill out Red Cross forms stating that they have been living of their own free will in Iraq but now would like to go home.

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Agreement To Free Pows Reported

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