No evidence Saddam has decided to disarm, says Blix

IRAQ has stepped up efforts to clarify outstanding issues about its weapons programmes, but there is still no evidence that Saddam Hussein has decided to disarm, chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix said last night.

He said a number of letters from Iraq about two R-400 aerial bombs, one which may be filled with a biological agent, and another reporting that hand-written documents on the 1991 disposal of chemical and biological weapons had been found "are potentially interesting" and will have to be examined.

However, Mr Blix said the letters did not represent "full co-operation or a breakthrough."

He said whether Iraq complies with his order to destroy its Al Samoud 2 missiles, their engines, and components by Saturday for exceeding the 150-kilometre (93-mile) limit in a UN resolution will be an important test of its co-operation.

Iraq says the missiles don't exceed the limit and has asked for technical talks, but Mr Blix has said the issue is not negotiable.

The Al Samoud "is a very important matter because there is a programme that involves a lot of hardware, a lot of valuable hardware, so a positive response to that is an important thing, and I hope we will have it in time," he said.

Mr Blix has complained that Iraq was not providing substantive information about its weapons programme. The issue is at the heart of the US case that Saddam Hussein has failed fully to co-operate with inspectors and therefore the Security Council should authorise military action against Iraq.

The last resolution adopted unanimously by the council in November gave Iraq a final opportunity to co-operate fully or face "serious consequences."

"We have a very long list of disarmament issues and it will require a big effort in order to clarify all of those," Mr Blix said. "But we welcome every step and I have the impression that they have stepped up their efforts lately."

Asked whether there was any evidence that Iraq wants to disarm, he said: "I do not think I can say there is evidence of a fundamental decision, but there is some evidence of some increased activity."