by Thalif Deen

U. S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov differed Tuesday on the prospect of resuming U.N. arms inspections inside Iraq.

Powell insisted on a new Security Council resolution imposing "tough standards and tough conditions" to ensure that Iraq delivers on its promises.

But Ivanov brushed aside the U.S. suggestion, arguing that if U.N inspectors are to be despatched to Iraq "we don't need any special resolution for that".

One diplomatic source told IPS it is obvious that Saddam Hussein's dramatic turnaround on arms inspections has driven a wedge between the two veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council. The Iraqi president's "tactical move" is also bound to split the 15-member Council, he predicted.

The decision to permit U.N. inspectors has also temporarily neutralised U.S. plans for an impending military attack on Iraq.

Responding to Iraq's decision, White House deputy spokesman Scott McClellan said Monday: "This is a tactical step by Iraq in hopes of avoiding strong U.N. Security Council action."

Last week, Washington began lobbying members of the Council for a new resolution that would set an ultimatum for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein: permit U.N. inspectors into his country or face the consequences of a U.S. military attack.

But Monday's decision by Iraq - conveyed in a letter to Secretary-General Kofi Annan - has also derailed U.S. plans to obtain Security Council blessings for the proposed military attack on Baghdad.

U. S. President George W. Bush said last week that he was taking a hard line on Iraq for two reasons: the country's capacity to produce weapons of mass destruction and its continued violation of Security Council resolutions.

Ivanov said Tuesday that the primary issue was the elimination of weapons of mass destruction.

"Iraq has provided an opportunity (for inspections) with no pre-conditions. We are all concerned with weapons of mass destruction. The question is whether Iraq possesses these weapons of mass destruction. That can be answered only by U.N. arms inspectors," he said.

The foreign minister also said that "in order to get the facts, we have to ensure the speedy return of arms inspectors" to Iraq.

Asked if the Security Council should spell out the consequences of an Iraqi default, Ivanov said: "If we start dealing with hypothetical questions, we will never finish our discussions."

But Powell said he was sceptical about Iraq's sincerity given Saddam Hussein's "past history" of reneging on his pledges.

"We cannot have business as usual," he said. "We have seen this game played before. The issue is not arms inspectors. The issue is disarmament, the treatment of minorities and the return of (Kuwaiti) prisoners (of war)," he added.

Powell said the "one and a half page (Iraqi) letter is not the end of the matter."

The United States, he added, "will have to go to the Security Council to see what appropriate action we can take", not only to ensure Iraq's compliance with U.N. resolutions but also the circumstances and conditions under which inspectors would return.

But more importantly, Powell said, the United States would like to see the consequences spelled out if Iraq does not co-operate fully. "It is very appropriate to do this."

A Third World diplomat said that there could be strong resistance to any U.S. move to impose new conditions on Iraq.

"Let's give the inspectors a chance. If Iraq does fails to honour its commitment, then there could be justification for a tougher stance."

Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri told reporters Tuesday that his country was expecting "a speedy and immediate resumption of arms inspections". The logistics were now under discussion, he added.

Iraq's turnaround is attributed to strong pressure from Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, which warned Saturday that it will cooperate with Washington on any military strikes on Iraq - provided such a strike was authorised by the Security Council.

On Monday, Annan paid tribute to the League of Arab States, and particularly its Secretary-General Amr Moussa, for convincing Iraq to permit U.N. inspectors into the country.

He also said that Bush's speech to the General Assembly last week had "galvanised" the international community. "As most of you heard, almost every speaker in the General Assembly urged Iraq to accept the return of the inspectors."

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