World News 26-11-2002 UN Weapons Inspectors In Iraq who: Chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix what: Arrives in Baghdad to begin inspections where: Iraq when: Yesterday snippet: "The first team of UN weapons inspectors arrived in Baghdad last night," reports The Times, "but logistical problems will curtail their ability to launch surprise visits to suspect sites for some time yet." "The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (Unmovic) will begin work tomorrow," explains The Telegraph, "with unprecedented powers. Experts will examine more than 700 sites across Iraq to seek and destroy stocks of chemical and biological weapons." But the most sensitive suspected sites are not due to be inspected in the near future, says The Independent, "because the UN has not yet established a secure communication network. Its fleet of helicopters, stationed at al-Rashid air base, also needs to be serviced and repaired. It is these sites President Saddam`s palaces and ministries which the Americans believe are most likely to yield evidence of material breaches of the UN resolution by Iraq." Meanwhile, Tonly Blair "last night ordered Labour rebels to back him on Iraq as he sought House of Commons approval for his pursuit of Saddam Hussein," says The Scotsman. In the end, reports the BBC this morning, 32 Labour MPs defied him and supported the unsuccessful Liberal Democrat-sponsored move to give the Commons a veto over any British participation in a war against Iraq. [... more]

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