I don't think there's any doubt about that ... especially in the corridors of the Security Council.

These views are not linked to the clear and unconditional decision of the Iraqi Government to resume dealing with the U.N. Special Commission (UNSCOM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

We want to make it clear to the U.N. Secretary-General ( Kofi Annan ) himself that those sites are well-defined.

We have not changed our stand. We are still requesting the American experts to depart the country before the deadline.

We told them we welcome the team to discuss the program and all the logistics for the visit. The visit can't take place without agreeing on the logistics.

I don't think it will be sufficient but it will be significant in alleviating some of the hardships of the Iraqi people.

The only way to try to reach out ... is if the American administration sits down and talks with the Iraqis.