US Dismisses Iraqi Move to Accept Inspector as 'Tactical Step'

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, September 17, 2002

US Dismisses Iraqi Move to Accept Inspector as 'Tactical Step'

The White House on Monday rebuffed Iraq's latest efforts to avoid a war with the United States, saying that its letter to accept the return of UN weapons inspectors is a "tactic that will fail."

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The White House on Monday rebuffed Iraq's latest efforts to avoid a war with the United States, saying that its letter to accept the return of UN weapons inspectors is a "tactic that will fail."

"This is a tactical step by Iraq in hopes of avoiding strong UN Security Council action. As such, it is a tactic that will fail," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said in a statement.

"It is time for the Security Council to act," the statement said.

Shortly after receiving a letter from Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri earlier on Monday, UN Secretary-Genereal Kofi Annan announced in New York that Baghdad has agreed to accept UN weapons inspection without any conditions.

McClellan's statement was the first official response from Washington to the development.

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