New UN inspector sees 'role is not to humiliate the Iraqis'

WASHINGTON -- The new chief inspector of the United Nations has pledged not to abandon on-site inspections of suspected missile and nonconventional weapons sites in Iraq.

Hans Blix took over the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission on Thursday and appealed to Baghdad to allow weapons inspectors to return to the country. "The Security Council confirmed the right of UNMOVIC to unrestricted access to sites and to information and, indeed, I intend to exercise that," he said. "I think that such inspections are indispensable in order to get to credible evidence about Iraq."

For 15 months, UN inspectors were not allowed to conduct inspections in Iraq. Blix rejected Iraqi assertions that there was nothing to inspect.

At the same time, Blix, a former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, indicated a new approach. "I am determined we shall exercise the right to unrestricted access, but I am also determined that our role is not to humiliate the Iraqis," Blix said.

Earlier, the resignation took effect of Charles Dulfer, the American deputy chairman of UNSCOM, who oversaw the operation after the departure of chairman Richard Butler in June 1999. Blix said he has talked with Dulfer and plans to continue to consult with him.