UN split over Iraqi weapons offer

Bush and Blair press on for war against Saddam but international coalition is unravelling

The fragile United Nations coalition assembled by America to corner Saddam Hussein was in danger of unravelling yesterday after Baghdad's announcement that it would allow the unconditional return of UN weapons inspectors to Iraq.

Despite the apparent concession, President George Bush made clear he still wanted a tough Security Council resolution, probably embracing a "one-strike" clause, demanding unfettered access for the inspectors and spelling out the consequences should that access be denied even once.

"The United Nations must act," Mr Bush stressed."It's time for them to determine whether they'll be the United Nations, or the League of Nations ... a force for good and peace, or an ineffective debating society."

But Russia, which has veto powers on the Security Council, declared a new resolution was no longer required: "From our standpoint we don't need any special resolution," said Igor Ivanov, its Foreign Minister.

Colin Powell, the US Secretary of State, said: "We have seen this game before." He said "a page and a quarter letter from the [Iraqi] Foreign Minister" was not enough. "If [the Iraqis] are serious, they will want a new resolution." The White House was even less willing to compromise, saying the issue was not about the inspectors' return, but about Iraq's disarmament.

In London, Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, said Iraq's offer should be viewed sceptically. "To the extent that it represents any movement, this has only arisen as a result of the determined pressure by the international community, led by the US and fully supported by the UK," he said. David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, said President Saddam had "every intention of making a monkey of the rest of the world".

But the momentum generated by Mr Bush's speech to the UN General Assembly last Thursday, in which he challenged the world body to enforce its resolutions, was clearly ebbing last night.

Other European countries, particularly France, which also has a veto on the Security Council, now believe the inspectors must be given a chance, while the promise of a letter from President Saddam himself to the UN explaining his change of heart would only muddy the waters. General Jean-Pierre Kelche, chief of staff of France's armed forces, said: "We must take him seriously, but we must also let his words speak for themselves. Since he is unconditionally opening the door to a return of the inspectors, let's try to go."

Last night, the chief UN weapons inspector, Hans Blix, held a meeting with Iraqi officials described by the former Iraqi ambassador Saeed Hasanas "useful and fruitful". It ended with the decision to meet in Vienna in 10 days to complete arrangements for the inspectors' return.

President Bush's aides agreed a congressional resolution which, in effect, authorises military action by giving Mr Bush the right to use "all appropriate means" to get rid of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Senate and House leaders will meet him today to discuss the resolution, which the White House wants passed within the next three weeks.

The Pentagon let slip more details of how the American military build-up continues. The message was clear: the showdown continues and "regime change" is the ultimate aim, even if denied at the UN.

Iraq insisted there were no hidden clauses in its offer and accused America and Britain of seeking an excuse for war.

Tariq Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister, said: "We will let in the inspectors without conditions, so the pretext to launch an attack on Iraq has been fought." But he predicted that the Iraqi offer was not going to be accepted by Mr Bush and Tony Blair. "The reaction of Washington and London will be that this was only ... a pretext, only a tactic, and not enough," he said. He called for the media to be permitted to accompany the inspectors, and for "neutral countries" to monitor their work.