BRITAIN: The British government might seek to set a deadline for the return of UN weapons' inspectors to Iraq. Ministers yesterday confirmed they were considering the proposal by a committee of MPs to ensure the Iraqi regime's compliance with UN resolutions.
However, there was no indication in Whitehall as to whether the deadline should be set by the UN Security Council, or whether failure to comply would lead automatically to military action.
Such a move would be consistent with the view of some Downing Street advisers that the processes of the UN must be fully tested before any decision on a military offensive.
However reports from Iraq, apparently ruling out the readmission of inspectors, seemed set to fuel demands from Washington "hawks" for a firm commitment to "regime change" in Baghdad.
Meanwhile Downing Street was remaining silent about the latest claims of tensions between London and Washington.
Mr Richard Holbrooke, former US ambassador to the UN, said at least six senior British officials had expressed their "unease" about the Washington line, and reflected their concern that Mr Tony Blair, as its staunchest ally, was "not getting anything back" from the US.
Mr Holbrooke's renewed intervention was again being interpreted as evidence of a mounting rift between the UK and the US.