No agreement for UN diplomats in Iraq

UN representatives are leaving Baghdad empty-handed, not having obtained any promises from Iraq to cooperate with the UN weapons inspection teams.

Iraq remained stead fast in its assertion that there are greater motives behind the sanctions imposed than to merely get Iraq to declassify all of its weapons programs and comply with UN resolutions.

In a press conference, Tariq Aziz, Iraq's deputy Prime Minister, said that the US is acting as a judge and jury in this matter saying that "the adversary is the judge," referring to the US government. Aziz went on to say that the inspection process carried out by the UN has turned into "an endless game and process," referring to the US efforts to use the inspections as a delaying tactic that prevents the lifting of the economic sanctions. The US does not intend to lift sanctions "unless the leadership of Iraq is changed," Aziz said.

Despite threats of military strikes by the US, Iraq was not backing away from previous threats to shoot down any U-2 spy planes. Aziz restated that any planes entering Iraqi air space "may be shot."

The UN representative is giving Iraq until the end of October to resolve the problem and cooperate.