Iraq agrees unconditionally to allow inspectors

WASHINGTON, Nov 15 (PTI) — United States President Bill Clinton today announced Iraq had unconditionally agreed to allow United Nations weapons inspectors resume their work in the country, but said Washington would remain ready for a military strike till Baghdad’s full compliance.

"Iraq has backed down. But that is not enough. Now Iraq must live up to its obligations," Mr Clinton said calling for a new government in Baghdad "committed to peace" for which, he added, the USA would intensify efforts.

The US threat of the use of force made Iraqi President Saddam Hussein give in, Mr Clinton said in the televised address from the White House briefing room and stressed Washington had cancelled its plans to strike Iraq only because it agreed to UN inspection unconditionally.

Iraq has given the US a set of "clear and unambiguous" commitments on meeting the UN weapons inspection demands, he said.

The announcement came even as military preparations in the gulf continued with six F-117 stealth bombers heading for the region today form the Holloman Air Force base in New Mexico along with four more spare radar evading jets which will remain on stand by in Spain.

Another six F-117s were expected to leave for Gulf soon, a spokesperson of the US Air Force’s AIN combat command said.

Mr Clinton Defence Secretary Willliam Cohen and National Security Adviser Sandy Berger said there was no credibility problem in the USA preparing to strike and then calling it off.

Iraq’s compliance with UN conditions must be unconditional or the USA will strike, they said.

"For some time now, the USA has had adequate forces in the area to mount a military operation against Iraq any time, for some time now, and that remains the case now," Mr Cohen said.

Earlier, CNN reported the USA, which put on hold an attack planned for today on Iraq, had decided to allow UN weapons inspectors to return to the Gulf nation.

A report from the UN said Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed Clinton’s acceptance of the Iraqi offer.

Mr Clinton, in his address, said, "until We see complete compliance (of UN inspection) We will remain vigilant, keep up the pressure and be ready to act."

Mr Berger, addressing reporters after Clinton, said Mr Saddam Hussein had "backed down", and added, "let’s see if he lets UNSCOM in. Let’s see if they can do their work .. If he does not, We are prepared to act."