Iraq bends, inspections in 2 weeks

Iraqi arms experts were expected to make a show of good faith today by handing over to UN weapons inspectors long overdue information about ...

Iraqi arms experts were expected to make a show of good faith today by handing over to UN weapons inspectors long overdue information about their nuclear facilities.

An Iraqi delegation and top UN weapons inspectors were to meet for a second and final day of talks on the return of inspectors to Baghdad in an attempt to prevent a military strike by US and Britain.

Slaying of Saddam would be welcome: White House

WASHINGTON: The White House said on Tuesday that it would ‘‘welcome’’ the assassination of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein by one of his own people or his banishment from Iraq, saying both fulfilled US policy.

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Repeatedly prodded on whether Washington was urging Iraqis to kill Saddam, white House spokesman Ari Fleischer replied: ‘‘regime change is welcome in whatever form it takes’’. (Agencies)

Chief UN arms inspector Hans Blix said they were working hard to hammer out an agreement on the practicalities for renewed inspections. But he said more work lay ahead. ‘‘Iraq is planning to hand over a handful of CDs today with information about their dual-purpose facilities,’’ a senior diplomat said.

The data concerns details about the status of so-called dual-use nuclear equipment that could be used to build nuclear weapons or for a civilian atomic energy programme. Blix said the Vienna talks were meant to avoid logistical problems once inspectors return.

Mohamed Elbaradei, director-general of UN’s international atomic energy agency, said, after the first round of talks yesterday, progress had been made in working out details of the inspectors’ return.

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The negotiations come amid increasingly tough language from US President George Bush and British PM Tony Blair, who accuse Iraqi President Saddam Hussein of stockpiling mass destruction arms.

The Vienna talks are the first test of Iraq’s cooperation since Baghdad agreed on September 16 to the unconditional return of the inspectors under threat of a US Military strike. The two parties yesterday completed a first reading of a list of practical issues on the inspectors’ return outlined by the UN side, chief weapons inspector Hans Blix said.

Asked about Iraqi cooperation, the diplomat said: ‘‘they are aware that if they don’t cooperate, there will be consequences.’’