Having read the various warblogger and other critiques of the Iraqi offer on weapons inspection, it seems to be that the critique contains three main points, one strong, one weak and one silly

Strong: Does an offer “to allow the return of the United Nations weapons inspectors to Iraq without conditions” mean “without conditions of the kind that led to the withdrawal of the inspectors in the past” (that is, free and unfettered access) or does it merely mean “without preconditions”. This clearly needs to be resolved.

Weak: The statement “Iraq is ready to discuss the practical arrangements necessary for the immediate resumption of inspections,” can be read can be read to allow for an indefinite period of “discussion”. But the UN has already said the inspectors could be on the ground in three weeks. If the discussions drag on much longer than this, the offer will be discredited.

Silly: The letter mentions the lifting of sanctions and some warbloggers have presented this as a new demand. But the whole point of the sanctions was to compel compliance with the UN resolutions. If Iraq complies to the satisfaction of the Security Council, they sanctions must be lifted. If the Iraqi government asserts that it is ready to comply, then it is perfectly reasonable to refer to ‘ a comprehensive solution that includes the lifting of sanctions imposed in Iraq’

As far as I can see I am in agreement with John Howard at this point. The Security Council should pass a resolution demanding full and unfettered access for weapons inspectors, and full disclosure of past and present programs. If the Iraqi government doesn’t accept this, then it will be time to let loose the dogs of war. If they do accept it, then the appropriate stance is one of vigilant monitoring rather than sabre-rattling.