Date:14/11/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/11/14/stories/2002111404610100.htm

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Iraq accepts U.N. resolution

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

The Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein... relents at last

Washington Nov. 13. Iraq said today that it was accepting the tough new United Nations Security Council Resolution on weapons inspections. A formal communication was made to the United Nations this morning by the country's top envoy to the U.N. (Immediately, the White House cautiously welcomed Baghdad's announcement, AFP reported.)

"The letter says that Iraq will deal with the Security Council Resolution 1441, despite its bad contents," the Iraqi envoy to the U.N., Mohammad Al-Douri, said. "We are prepared to receive the inspectors within the assigned timetable. We are eager to see them perform their duties in accordance with international law as soon as possible."

The weapons inspectors team will be headed by the chief inspector, Hans Blix, who will be leaving for Baghdad shortly with a technical and communications team. The full team is expected to be on the ground by the end of the month. The Blix team will be in charge of biological and chemical weapon inspections and the International Atomic Energy Agency will take care of nuclear inspections.

Iraq and the Arab League have demanded that Arab inspectors be part of the team. In fact, it is said that the past inspection team had Arab representation and that this was not a problem this time round.

Mr. Blix has made it known that while he was for a tough inspections regime, he did not want the Security Council to micro-manage every part of his work in Iraq. He will report to the Council any infractions on the part of Iraq or if the regime there refuses or goes back on its obligations.