U.N. weapons commission wants to return to Iraq

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N03267750.htm

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 3 (Reuters) - With 51 weapons experts still on staff, the U.N. commission in charge of monitoring Iraq's unconventional arms made clear on Wednesday it was well placed to uncover any remaining dangerous materials in Iraq.

In a report to the Security Council, the U.N. Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) said it was still updating its extensive database, especially on biological arms and missiles, and analyzing imagery from ongoing commercial satellite overflights. snip

The United States has barred the commission from going to Iraq and instead set up an Iraq Survey Group, headed by David Kaye, who led inspection teams in 1991 for the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The report, written by Demetrius Perricos, the acting UNMOVIC executive chairman, said no written materials from Kaye had been submitted to any of the U.N. inspection bodies. snip

"We have the legal right and the experience and the credibility to conduct inspections in Iraq and I have made this clear to the Security Council," he said. "But we're not allowed to go back because of the coalition forces.

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1. Would Rummy feel threatened by this? What's to hide?