Bagpuss, I also think there's an issue of advanced notice, and the Iraqis consider the searching of the Presidential palaces without notice an affort to their national sovereignty. I can understand that -- if someone wanted to search Pres. Bush's bedroom, the SS would insist on the opportunity to clear out anything... embarrassing.

On the other hand, depending on the amount of advanced notice, they could clean up A LOT -- to much cleaning, and the inspections become useless. They aren't looking for weapons plants in these places, they are looking for internal memos and maybe weapons diagrams.

I know! I have the perfect compromise!

Iraq is pissed because the US seeded the "UN" inspection team last time with outright spies. It's not only bad politics, it's bad for the efficiency of the inspection teams.

Fine. UN inspection teams go in. No US personnel allowed on the teams.