UN/BLIX REPORT: The following are the main points of the reports presented to the UN Security Council yesterday by chief UN weapons inspectors Dr Hans Blix and Dr Mohamed ElBaradei.
Inspections
"Today, three months after the adoption of Resolution 1441 (2002), the period of disarmament through inspection could still be short, if "immediate, active and unconditional co-operation" with UNMOVIC and the IAEA were to be forthcoming.
"Since we arrived in Iraq, we have conducted more than 400 inspections, covering more than 300 sites.
"All inspections were performed without notice, and access was almost always provided promptly.
"In no case have we seen convincing evidence that the Iraqi side knew in advance that the inspectors were coming.
"Inspections are effectively helping to bridge the gap in knowledge that arose due to the absence of inspections between December 1998 and November 2002."
Accounting of banned weapons
"Another matter - and one of great significance - is that many proscribed weapons and items are not accounted for...If they exist they should be presented for destruction. If they do not exist credible evidence to that effect should be presented."
Outstanding issues
"In my earlier briefings, I have noted that significant outstanding issues of substance were listed in two Security Council documents from early 1999 and should be well known to Iraq.
"I referred, as examples, to the issues of anthrax, the nerve agent VX and long-range missiles, and said that such issues deserve to be taken seriously by Iraq rather than being brushed aside.
"This is perhaps the most important problem we are facing. Iraq itself must squarely tackle this task and avoid belittling the questions."
Al-Samoud missiles
"Based on the data provided by Iraq, the two declared variants of the Al-Samoud 2 missile were capable of exceeding 150 kilometres (95 miles) in range. This missile system is proscribed for Iraq pursuant to Resolution 687 (1991) and the monitoring plan adopted by Resolution 715 (1991).
Staff
"The total number of staff in Iraq now exceeds 250 from 60 countries. This includes about 100 UNMOVIC inspectors, 15 IAEA inspectors, 50 aircrew and 65 support staff."
Interviews of Iraqi scientists
"So far we have only had interviews in Baghdad. A number of persons have declined to be interviewed unless they were allowed to have an official present or were allowed to tape the interview. No further interviews have since been accepted on our terms. I hope this will change.
"We feel that interviews conducted without any third party present and without tape recording would provide the greatest credibility."
Intelligence
"The presentation of intelligence information by the US Secretary of State suggested that Iraq had prepared for inspections by cleaning up sites and removing evidence of proscribed weapons programmes.
"I would like to comment only on one case...namely the trucks identified by analysts as being for chemical decontamination at a munitions depot.
"This was a declared site, and it was certainly one of the sites Iraq would have expected us to inspect....The reported movement of munitions at the site could just as easily have been a routine activity as a movement of proscribed munitions in anticipation of an imminent inspection.
"Our reservation on this point does not detract from our appreciation for the briefing."
Mohamed ElBaradei's report
"We have, to date, found no evidence of ongoing prohibited nuclear or nuclear-related activities in Iraq.
"However, as I have just indicated, a number of issues are still under investigation, and we are not yet in a position to reach a conclusion about them, although we are moving forward with regard to some of them...
"Finally, I was informed this morning by the director general of Iraq's National Monitoring Directorate that national legislation prohibiting proscribed activities was adopted today.
"The resolution of this long-standing legal matter was a step in the right direction for Iraq to demonstrate its commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the Security Council's resolutions."