UN divided over Iraqi weapons inspection offer
Financial Times Reporters
Published: August 2 2002 23:16 | Last Updated: August 2 2002 23:16
The United Nations looked set on Friday to reject Iraq's offer of talks to reopen weapons inspections, as leading member countries were divided in their reactions.
A dismissive response from the US and UK contrasted with the warm reception the offer received in Russia, another central member of the UN security council.
The diplomatic divisions could hinder US plans for military action against Iraq. A former UN weapons inspector said on Friday Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi leader, had "thrown a monkey-wrench into the machinery of war".
The UN indicated on Friday it would refuse to send Hans Blix, its chief weapons inspector, to Baghdad to discuss restarting the stalled inspections programme. While the UN welcomed the letter from Naji Sabri, Iraq's foreign minister, it said the procedure was "at variance" with that required by the Security Council.
The UK was scornful of the offer, with the foreign office claiming Mr Hussein has a "long history of playing games. As his track record shows, he does not deliver."
The US also responded coolly to the offer, although it did not reject it outright. "Iraq simply needs to comply with its responsibilities and accept inspection anywhere at any time," the National Security Council said.
But it has emerged that Tony Blair, UK prime minister, is putting pressure on President George W. Bush to step up attempts to stabilise the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians ahead of any military strike against Iraq.
While Moscow described Baghdad's proposal as "an important step towards solving the present problems through diplomatic and political means",the French government said it backed "every effort that might lead to Iraq respecting its UN obligations.
This potential stalling of an invasion was seen by experts as an astute ploy on Mr Hussein's part. "It is a very clever letter," one diplomatic source said.
Reporting by Carola Hoyos, Jean Eaglesham and James Blitz in London, Lydia Adetunji in Washington, Roula Khalaf, Hugh Williamson in Cologne, Robert Graham in Paris
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