IRAQ: THE chief UN weapons inspector, Dr Hans Blix, said yesterday he would tell Iraq the situation was "very tense and very dangerous" and only fuller co-operation with his team could avert war.
Mr Blix said after briefing European Union officials in Brussels that UN inspectors had found illegally imported conventional arms materials in Iraq, some dating from the last two years, but had yet to determine if they were related to weapons of mass destruction.
To avoid war, Baghdad must provide new credible evidence that it has eliminated its suspected nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programmes and allow its scientists to be interviewed freely in Iraq or abroad. "One way would be to let them talk without any minder present. Another would be to accept that they go abroad, if they want to do so."
Mr Blix, due to visit Baghdad from Saturday after a three-nation tour of Europe, said: "The other major option, as you know, is the one that we have seen taking shape in the form of an armed action against Iraq. If they [US forces\] march in, then there is nothing left to do for the inspectors. But there still remains a way for us to do our inspections. We have not at all given up hope."
The US has stepped up the pace of troop deployment in the Gulf region and defence officials say it could be ready for war by mid- to-late February with an air, ground and maritime force exceeding 150,000 personnel.
Mr Blix said his planned January 27th report to the UN Security Council would not be the last word and it was very likely that the council would ask for a further report in February.
The EU demanded yesterday that Iraq co-operate more fully with the UN inspectors if it wants to avert war. After talks with Mr Blix, foreign policy chief Mr Javier Solana said: "He has conveyed to me his concern that the co-operation with Saddam Hussein . . . \ with Iraq is not sufficient.
"I share completely this position of Mr Hans Blix . . . We are demanding a more pro-active co-operation from the regime of Saddam Hussein so that the world, the Security Council, the inspectors, are convinced that he has disarmed from all weapons of mass destruction," Mr Solana said.
He said he and Mr Blix agreed time was not infinite but added: "I think that a war in Iraq can be averted and the responsibility is basically on the side of Saddam Hussein." He said it was not enough for Iraq to open doors to UN inspectors. It had an obligation to be more active in co-operating with the disarmament process.
Mr Solana said he believed his statement reflected the "general position" of all EU countries, despite differences between Britain, which backs US threats of military action, and countries such as Germany which strongly oppose war.