Iraq set to reopen Bern embassy
Iraq wants to reopen its embassy in Bern, closed since 1990, according to the country's official news agency, INA.
INA reported on Sunday that a cabinet meeting chaired by President Saddam Hussein gave the go-ahead to the foreign ministry’s request to restart the country’s diplomatic operations in the Swiss capital.
Iraq shut down the embassy shortly before the beginning of the Gulf War, citing financial and administrative reasons, without giving further details. Baghdad said at the time it would re-open its offices in the near future.
A spokesman for the Swiss foreign affairs ministry was, however, unable to confirm if the Iraqis were planning on returning.
Switzerland has always maintained diplomatic ties with Iraq, but the Swiss shut down their embassy in Baghdad shortly before the beginning of the Gulf conflict for security reasons.
The Swiss cabinet decided in November 2000 to use its embassy as a liaison office for humanitarian work in Iraq and to support Switzerland’s business interests there. In February 2001, two diplomats were dispatched to Baghdad, to also handle visa requests.
This decision did not run counter to United Nations sanctions against Iraq, said the Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, said at the time.
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