Once again, the United Nations Security Council served the international community well as it heard comprehensive reports yesterday from the UN arms inspectors on Iraq's disarming of its weapons of mass destruction.
Dr Hans Blix and Dr Mohamed ElBaradei reported significant, albeit belated, progress in Iraqi co-operation with their teams. It was the real and unpalatable threat of force, however, that produced results - although not as yet convincing evidence that these weapons do not exist or have been destroyed.
The critical question now facing the Security Council is whether sufficient progress has been made to justify continuing with the arms inspection process rather than moving rapidly to the use of force against Iraq. On the basis of yesterday's reports the case for continued use of the inspectors to secure compliance is strong. It cannot be open-ended, nor can the threat of force be removed. But it is much the better approach for global security and peace in the Middle East. If it is to continue, Iraq must demonstrate a readiness to comply actively and unconditionally with the demands passed unanimously by the Security Council in Resolution 1441.
Dr Blix spelled out several ways in which Iraq has met the inspectors' demands for co-operation, indicating there could be a more positive attitude towards their work. Papers concerning the destruction of anthrax, nerve agents and missiles have been made available. Lists of key personnel have been provided and they may be interviewed without minders. Two commissions are to be established to trace missing documentary evidence. Access to sites is being increased and there will be additional technologies and resources. Dr Blix welcomed intelligence from governments but cautioned against some of the resulting information. Dr ElBaradei said there is no evidence of ongoing prohibited activities concerning nuclear weapons in Iraq.
The US Secretary of State, Mr Powell, while welcoming these changes in the process of inspection, said they do not amount to the active and unconditional disarmament called for in Resolution 1441. He vigorously repeated the US case that Iraq is playing tricks on the UN to gain time and avoid compliance. He restated the Bush administration's conviction that Iraq is prepared to use its weapons of mass destruction against its own people, its neighbours and in a nexus with the al-Qaeda organisation which could endanger civilians throughout the world.
This case is still not proven, on the evidence available to the Security Council. It is far better to rely on the arms inspection process to confirm Iraqi compliance with the UN demand that it get rid of its weapons of mass destruction.
That approach, put eloquently by the French foreign minister at the Security Council yesterday, may yet form the basis of resolving this crisis in coming days and weeks without a war.