U.N. Weapons Inspections In Iraq Could Begin Soon

U.N. weapons inspectors could begin searching Saddam Hussein’s presidential compounds before the end of March, the chief inspector said Sunday.

The Iraqi government will be given a notice soon saying “we are ready and we are going to do it,” said Richard Butler, who arrived in Baghdad on Sunday. “That won’t be long from now.”

Asked if it would happen by the end of the month, Butler answered, “Probably,” but refused to elaborate.

Searching the eight presidential sites for weapons of mass destruction was the core of a dispute that took the region to the brink of war. The standoff was resolved with a Feb. 23 agreement between U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz that secured approval for the inspections.

Butler will stay in Baghdad for five days to discuss with Aziz the procedure for inspecting the sites, which occupy a total of 12.6 square miles and include 1,058 buildings.

In contrast to the animosity that has dominated Butler’s past dealings with Iraq, he said Sunday he sees “a sense of new spirit now prevailing in our relationship. The degree of cooperation Iraq has been showing…is very high and very welcome.”