Stardate 20021001.1608

(On Screen): So Iraq and the UN have unrestrictedly met, and unrestrictedly agreed on the unrestricted return of unrestricted inspectors to Iraq, where their unrestricted inspections will be subject to certain restrictions. Imagine my surprise.

So far, they've admitted to the following:

Dr Blix said the inspectors would have unconditional access to all sites - but not to eight presidential palaces which are covered under a separate agreement between Iraq and UN.

Each of the "palaces" is actually a major compound. Collectively they represent about 12 square miles, and the agreement referred to here is one which says that if inspectors want to go into areas like this, they have to give Iraq 24 hours notice and the inspectors have to be accompanied by their parents or guardians (i.e. by a retinue of UN bureaucrats) whose job it is to make sure that the inspectors don't do anything which might offend the Iraqis (such as finding something). Of course, with 24 hours notice almost anything really important can be hidden, which makes inspections of those areas totally useless.

In coming days, don't be too surprised if it also turns out that there are other restrictions. Don't be too surprised to learn that hospitals are considered off limits by Iraq. And don't be too surprised if Iraq decides that there's a limited time window.