President Clinton yesterday claimed victory in the stand-off with Iraq, calling the return of UN inspectors to Baghdad an "important achievement". "It shows once again that determined diplomacy backed by the potential of force is the only way to deal with Saddam Hussein," Mr Clinton said during a White House ceremony.
The UN disarmament team returned to Baghdad yesterday one week after the expulsion of US inspectors brought the crisis over Iraqi weapons to a head. "Their unconditional return is an important achievement for the international community," Mr Clinton said.
President Saddam reversed his decision to exclude US experts from the UN Special Commission (Unscom) in charge of disarming Iraq after an intensive diplomatic push headed by Russia.
The team is due to begin inspections today, and Mr Clinton reiterated his demand that they do so unfettered. "We must make sure that inspectors are able to resume their mission unimpeded," he said.
International disarmament experts met at the UN yesterday, and Russia was expected to use the talks to press for changes in the operations of UN arms inspectors in Iraq.
The meeting of the 21-member advisory panel came as 75 UN inspectors returned to Baghdad. The commission has the task of ensuring the dismantling of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction in line with UN resolutions. An embargo on Iraq's lifeline oil exports cannot be lifted until Unscom certifies the elimination of Baghdad's weapons of mass destruction.
Diplomats said the Russian commissioner, Mr Gennady Gatilov, would press for an increase in UN inspectors, which would effectively dilute the presence of Unscom's US nationals who are opposed by Iraq.
Russia would also seek the closure of nuclear and long-range missile files, in order to place future disarmament emphasis in those fields on long-term monitoring in Iraq, the diplomats said.
As the UN arms inspectors, including Americans, arrived back in Iraq, Iraq's ruling Baath party newspaper al-Thawra said: "Our latest battle with the world oppressors in America has led to a great victory worthy of pride and glory. We have proved to everyone . . . that we have a national iron will."
Washington underlined its scepticism concerning Iraq's intentions by moving more warplanes and ships into the Gulf.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Tariq Aziz, travelled to Damascus yesterday in the first such visit by a top Iraqi official since Baghdad and Damascus cut relations 17 years ago after Syria sided with Iran in the Iran-Iraq war.