S P E C I A L:

Inspecting Iraq

 

Ritter back at work in Baghdad

No problems on Day One

Scott Ritter

March 6, 1998
Web posted at: 12:49 p.m. EST (1749 GMT)

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- An American weapons inspector at the center of the latest Persian Gulf crisis toured Iraqi weapons sites Friday in a test of that country's willingness to carry out its promises to the United Nations.

A convoy of 10 vehicles, including three carrying Iraqi officials, followed Scott Ritter's car as he drove through Baghdad's congested streets for the first time since he was pressured into leaving in January.

Nine hours into his inspections Friday, there was no word of any Iraqi interference.

In January, Ritter was prevented from entering some suspected weapons sites after Iraq alleged he was a U.S. spy and said his U.N. team included a disproportionately high number of Americans.

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A L S O :

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Ritter's inspections Friday were "routine," a U.N. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. He did not say which sites Ritter and his team toured.

His team, which arrived Thursday, is only one of several that are deployed in Iraq. The other groups have worked daily, even during the crisis.

Iraq's refusal to open up the sites to inspectors led to a buildup of U.S. and British military force in the Gulf and threats of air strikes against Iraq.

Annan aware of Ritter's return?

Ritter's team leaves UNSCOM headquarters

Ritter's return follows a February 23 U.N.-Iraq accord under which Iraq agreed to give inspectors full access to eight presidential compounds previously declared off-limits. The accord, worked out by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan during a visit to Baghdad, averted potential U.S. air strikes.

At the United Nations, a spokesman for Annan denied a published report that the secretary-general was not informed of chief weapons inspector Richard Butler's decision to send Ritter back to Baghdad.

Quoting unnamed U.N. sources, the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper said Butler's decision was aimed at testing Baghdad's commitment to its deal with Annan. The paper reported that Butler did not tell Annan of his decision, even though the two had lunch the day before Butler informed the Iraqi government that an inspection team was on its way.

The Arabic-language daily accused Butler of trying to spark "a crisis to torpedo the agreement."

At U.N. headquarters, a spokesman for Annan and a spokesman for Butler both said Annan was aware of Ritter's orders to return to Iraq. The spokesmen added that Butler and Annan had discussed it at the lunch in question, as well as on other occasions.

Ritter may tour sensitive sites

Iraq has said Ritter and his 50-member team will be conducting unannounced inspections of suspected weapons sites that may include sensitive sites.

An Iraqi official, speaking on customary condition of anonymity, said Ritter will not try to visit any of the eight palace compounds. These will be visited by a special team made up of U.N. arms monitors and diplomats as part of the accord.

The weapons inspectors must certify that Iraq has eliminated all its weapons of mass destruction before U.N. sanctions that were imposed after Iraq's 1990 invasion of neighboring Kuwait can be lifted.

Both Iraqi and U.N. officials in Baghdad are tight-lipped about Ritter's activities. Friday's Iraqi newspapers did not report his arrival in Baghdad.

Iraqi officials told television crews and photographers Thursday that they could not cover Ritter's arrival, saying his mission was not a big event. But they relented Friday and allowed crews to film his departure from his Baghdad headquarters to weapons sites.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Newsmaker profiles:

• Kofi Annan - U.N. Secretary General
• Saddam Hussein - Iraqi President

Related stories:

• Ritter-led inspectors return to Iraq - March 5, 1998
• Sources: No Brits, Americans to be on diplomatic team in Iraq - March 4, 1998
• Annan to name special representative to Iraq - March 4, 1998
• Annan: Iraqi violation could lead to military strike - March 3, 1998
• Iraq promises compliance with U.N., ridicules U.S. - March 3, 1998
• U.S. troops in Gulf 1st to get anthrax vaccine - March 3, 1998
• Security Council unanimously endorses Annan's deal - March 2, 1998
• Iraqis protest, but against what? - March 2, 1998

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