The following is the text of a letter by the Iraqi UN ambassador, Mr Nizar Hamdoon - twice revised in an effort to meet objections by the US and questions from the Security Council - affirming that Baghdad has unconditionally dropped its ban on UN weapons inspections:
Upon instructions from my government, I would like to reaffirm what I have already told you during our meeting this evening, 14 November 1998, namely that the letter dated 14 November 1998 from Mr Tareq Aziz, deputy prime minister of Iraq, addressed to the secretary-general, included an annex containing the views and preferences of the Iraqi government with regard to the substance of the comprehensive review. These views are not linked to the clear and unconditional decision of the Iraqi government to resume co-operation with UNSCOM (the UN Special Commission) and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency).
It is evident that the Iraqi decision of 14 November 1998 means that the previous decisions concerning restricting or suspending co- operation with UNSCOM and IAEA have become void and that UNSCOM and IAEA can immediately resume all their activities according to the relevant resolutions of the Security Council.
I should be grateful if you could bring this letter to the attention of the members of the council and distribute it as a document of the Security Council.