Assault on U.N. Offices in Iraq Doesn’t Deter Arms Inspectors

U.N. inspectors here continued their work Saturday despite damage from a rocket-propelled grenade that slammed into their offices, shattering a small window but causing no injuries.

The Iraqi government condemned the Friday night attack, which came amid tense relations with the weapons inspectors. The grenade, one of two fired at the compound where the offices are located, was not loaded with explosives, and no one claimed responsibility.

The inspectors must certify that Iraq has destroyed its weapons of mass destruction before the United Nations will agree to lift economic sanctions imposed when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, leading to the Persian Gulf War.

“What happened . . . will not slow our inspections down,” said U.N. spokesman Alan Dacey.

Security was tight at the compound, with dozens of armed Iraqi soldiers patrolling the area.

Iraq’s Information Ministry blamed the attack on “parties which do not want a stable relationship between Iraq and U.N. weapons inspectors.”

White House spokesman Joe Lockhart said Washington expects “a thorough and swift investigation.”