Hussein Takes New Tack on Inspections

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein said Monday that he would consider cooperating with a new U.N. resolution on arms inspections, provided it was not merely a pretext for the U.S. to attack his nation.

“If a resolution is issued that respects the U.N. Charter, international law and Iraq’s sovereignty, security and independence, and does not provide a cover for America’s ill intentions, we will view it in a way that makes us deal with it,” official Iraqi TV quoted Hussein as telling visiting right-wing Austrian politician Joerg Haider.

The comment appeared to mark a shift in Baghdad’s stance. Until now, Iraqi officials have been hostile to the idea of a new resolution governing U.N. inspections of its alleged programs to develop nuclear, biological or chemical weapons and said they would accept inspectors only on terms laid down in previous resolutions.

The remark appeared aimed at preparing Iraqis for acceptance of a new resolution and at buying time to stave off any U.S. attack.

The U.S. and Britain say they will make changes this week to a tough U.N. Security Council draft resolution intended to give inspectors unfettered access to sites in Iraq. France, Russia and China are worried about “hidden triggers” in the wording of the resolution that would allow the U.S. to launch a strike, overthrow Hussein and argue later that it had U.N. authorization.