Chirac will accept 30-day deadline

FRENCH President Jacques Chirac yesterday said he was willing to accept a 30-day deadline for Iraq to disarm — provided the move was endorsed by the chief United Nations weapons inspectors.

Speaking before last night’s summit, Chirac said the inspectors will be telling the Security Council next week that they believe it is possible to disarm Saddam Hussein peacefully.

“One month, two months, I am ready to accept any accord on this point that has the approval of the inspectors,” Chirac said in an interview aired on CNN.