Iraq presented a letter to the UN today, agreeing to admit inspectors on 19 October. The letter failed, however, to respond directly to a letter from UNMOVIC head Hans Blix, which requested confirmation of the conclusions from the earlier meetings in Vienna. Iraq says it endorsed the joint press conference that followed the meetings, and Blix’s briefing notes two days after that. All other questions are being dealt with in good faith, says Iraqi UN ambassador Mohammed Aldouri. “We are not surprised that the Iraqis are once again attempting to delay and deceive,” says the US ambassador’s spokesman.
The UN will begin open debate on the Iraq issue on Wednesday, at the behest of South Africa, which leads the 131-nation majority “Non-Aligned Movement.”
BBC has the UK Home Secretary Jack Straw less upset than US officials about the Iraq walkback. Straw also said that Iraq’s response is a result of the threat of force.
a technology job is no excuse 