Saddam climbs down as Albright drums up support

8220;We are currently pursuing a diplomatic solution but we can8217;t rule out any options,8221; Albright told reporters in Kuwait before heading to Saudi Arabia.8220;We are not seeking a military solution but there is no way out for Saddam Hussein if he does not reverse his decision and change course.8221;

But in Baghdad last night, Saddam said his country was not looking for a confrontation with the United States and was seeking a solution with the United Nations Security Council 8220;through dialogue.8221;

Iraq8217;s Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz said Baghdad would allow the return of US weapons inspectors so long as they were on an equal footing with un experts from other countries, in an newspaper interview to be appeared in France today.

In Raiyad, Albright has met King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Abdallah Ibn Abdel Aziz, Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal and the Ambassador to Washington, Bandar Ibn Sultan. She held a first round of talks last night with the Crown Prince, whose country served as the launchpad for Operation Desert Storm in the 1991 Gulf war when a US-led coalition drove Iraqi occupation forces out of Kuwait. Their talks 8220;did not focus on military options in any serious way,8221; said a US official travelling with Albright.