Iraq still hasn't committed to disarming, the chief U.N. inspector said, but he appeared to push for continued weapons inspections ahead of a debate by the Security Council on a U.S. draft resolution authorizing war against Iraq.
The council on Thursday is to discuss also a French-Russian-German paper aiming to stave off war and prolong inspections at least until July 1.
Blix welcomed recent Iraqi letters that contained new information about its weapons programs but said they did not represent "full cooperation or a breakthrough." Nonetheless, he noted that inspections resumed only in November after a four-year break and asked: "Is it the right time to close the door?"
Blix's 17-page report was delivered to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who will then send it to the Security Council. "It's a chronology of what we've been up to for the last three months," said Blix's spokesman, Ewen Buchanan.
The report submitted Wednesday includes sections on staffing, training, ground inspections and aerial inspections conducted with American made U-2 spy planes and French Mirage jets.
Asked Wednesday whether there was any evidence that Iraq wants to disarm, Blix said: "I do not think I can say there is evidence of a fundamental decision, but there is some evidence of some increased activity."
He said an important test of Iraq's cooperation will be whether Saddam complies with the order to start destroying his Al Samoud 2 missiles by Saturday. (Albawaba.com)
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