Iraqi offer to re-admit weapons inspectors - Straw

Foreign Secretary comments on Iraqi offer to re-admit weapons inspectors

In light of Iraq's decision to re-admit UN weapons inspectors, the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, said that the offer has come as a result of 'the determination of the international community to stand firm against Saddam Hussein's threat'. He continued, 'We must remain steadfast and keep up the pressure on Iraq by continuing to work on a new UN resolution'.

Mr Straw said:

"Iraq has a long history of playing games. People are bound to be sceptical. This apparent offer to allow weapons inspectors to return 'without conditions' comes only four days after Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister said precisely the opposite."

"Whatever it means, this offer has only come through the determination of the international community to stand firm against Saddam Hussein's threat."

The Secretary of State continued:

"We must remain steadfast and keep up the pressure on Iraq by continuing to work on a new UN resolution."

"Iraq knows what it must do: grant unfettered access to UN weapons inspectors and comply with all the obligations placed on it by the UN. The goal here is to force Saddam to comply with international law and bring an end to his weapons of mass destruction."

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