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Rula Amin: Iraqis see gains from decision
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- U.N. weapons inspectors and Iraqi officials have agreed to meet in Vienna, Austria, in 10 days to finalize arrangements for inspectors to return for the first time since 1998. That development follows a similar meeting Tuesday at the United Nations after Iraq's offer to allow the inspectors back in "without conditions." The United States has reacted skeptically to Iraq's move, but Russia, which has veto power on the U.N. Security Council, has been supportive. Reporting from Baghdad, Iraq, CNN's Rula Amin spoke Wednesday with CNN's Bill Hemmer about Iraqi reaction to the latest developments. HEMMER: What are we hearing? AMIN: Here, all you hear is praise -- praise for what is termed as Iraq's wise decision. Less than 48 hours after Iraq said it will allow inspectors back without any conditions, Iraq is starting to see gains. That decision is starting to pay off. They are hearing from members of the [U.N.] Security Council, like the Russians, who are saying that Baghdad should be taken at its word, that the inspectors should go back to Iraq and challenge Iraq to give them unfettered access as the Iraqis have promised. Here in Iraq, all that we are hearing is how Baghdad had made that decision in response to appeals from friendly countries, from Arab countries, to avoid a confrontation with the United States. And for now they are pretty satisfied with the achievements they have done with this compromise. They are already winning support among crucial members of the Security Council. HEMMER: It is said that that meeting in Vienna will not take place for at least 10 days. Is there an Iraqi response as to why it will take a week and a half to get together? AMIN: What we're hearing unofficially is that actually that time is there because the United Nations Security Council still has not made a clear decision that they will send the inspectors back here before any new resolution is taken. The United States is pushing for a new resolution on Iraq, something that would have an ultimatum, probably tougher demands. The Iraqis are trying to circumvent these efforts. The Russians are now saying there is no need for a new resolution, there is no need for a further move by the United Nations until they see what happens on the ground here. So I think this is why we are seeing this delay -- because the inspectors say they are ready, they can be here on the ground within days, and that they will be ready to start inspecting seriously within weeks. They have to get themselves prepared, but they can be in Baghdad within days. That's what we're hearing from them.
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