BRITAIN: The British government remains determined to keep the pressure on President Saddam Hussein, insisting that a new UN Security Council resolution is necessary in respect of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.
Echoing Washington's doubts about Iraq's promise to readmit UN weapons inspectors, the Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, last night said this apparently unconditional offer should be treated with "a high degree of scepticism".
Downing Street, meanwhile, made clear its view that insofar as the latest Iraqi move was significant, it was as the result of international pressure which must and would be sustained.
With the UN Security Council seemingly thrown into disarray, some senior Labour MPs seized on Russia's suggestion that the threat of war had been averted and urged the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, to "seize the moment and get UN inspectors back in without resorting to war".
The potential for serious division continuing within the Security Council could further complicate Mr Blair's position next Tuesday when he has been warned up to 100 Labour MPs could rebel at the end of the emergency Commons debate on Iraq. The scale of Labour's threatened rebellion, however, could be checked by last night's assertion by the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, that the Iraqi offer was not enough of itself to end the crisis.
Downing Street made it clear it was proceeding with plans to publish its dossier of "evidence" against Saddam ahead of next Tuesday's Commons sitting, as British and US officials in New York pressed their demand for a new UN resolution stipulating terms for Iraqi compliance and threatening force if they are not met.
Mr Straw said to the extent that the Iraqi offer represented any movement, "this has only arisen as a result of the determined pressure by the international community, led by the US and fully supported by the United Kingdom".
He continued: "This apparent offer is bound to be treated with a high degree of scepticism by the international community, coming only four days after the deputy prime minister, Mr Tariq Aziz, said precisely the opposite, that they would not accept the reinstatement of weapons inspectors without condition."
Further doubt was cast on the unconditional nature of the Iraqi offer last night when the Arab League's ambassador to London, Mr Ali Muhsen Hamid, was reported saying UN inspectors might only be allowed to inspect "military sites". However Labour MPs Mr Tam Dalyell and Ms Alice Mahon said the Iraqi offer would be a "litmus test" for President Bush.
"His response will signal whether the US is acting through concern over weapons of mass destruction or if it is intent on oil acquisition and regime change."
Labour MP Mr George Galloway, who is visiting Iraq, said the offer should be "grabbed with both hands" for its potential to save thousands of lives and prevent the region being plunged into chaos.
The Liberal Democrat spokesman for foreign affairs, Mr Menzies Campbell, said: "The inspectors must have the unconditional ability to poke into every nook and cranny. Saddam Hussein has conducted brinkmanship too often in the past for this development to be treated with anything other than caution."