The World - News from Nov. 9, 1988

Iraqi Foreign Minister Tarik Aziz said his country is willing to begin repatriating sick and wounded prisoners from its eight-year-old war with Iran, apparently clearing the way for such an exchange. Iran’s chief negotiator on the issue, Ataollah Mohajerani, confirmed that the exchange can go ahead. “It now depends on the Red Cross to arrange the timing,” he said. Aziz, speaking to reporters in Geneva after meeting with officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said the repatriation will apply to 411 Iranians and 1,115 Iraqis who have been identified by the Red Cross as sick and wounded prisoners. No agreement has been reached on a complete exchange of all the estimated 100,000 POWs.