Chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix on Tuesday expressed sadness that he had not been allowed more time to complete his work.
"I naturally feel sadness that three and a half months of work carried out in Iraq have not brought the assurances needed about the absence of weapons of mass destruction or other proscribed items in Iraq," Blix told the UN Security Council.
At a prearranged presentation of his work schedule of disarmament tasks, Blix went on to express his regret "that no more time is available for our inspections."
Blix, who has studiously avoided taking sides over the past few months as the Security Council became increasingly riven, remained supportive but skeptical of Iraq's moves to cooperate.
"The value of this information thus provided must be soberly judged," he said.
"Our experts have found so far that in substance only limited new information has been provided that will help to resolve remaining questions."
But Blix has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of the US-led coalition's impatience for military action now that war appears inevitable.
"I do not think it is reasonable to close the door on inspections after three and a half months," Blix said on Tuesday, arguing that Iraq was providing more cooperation than it had in more than 10 years.
"I would have welcomed more time," he said.
He also expressed relief Tuesday that he was able to withdraw all UN staff with Iraqi cooperation, given fears that they might be taken hostage.
Iraqi assistance, he said on Tuesday, suggested a degree of goodwill and that he believed a forthcoming invasion would be met with relative restraint.
Blix believes Iraq is technologically capable of developing chemical and biological weapons capable of striking US targets.
But he doubted President Saddam Hussein's regime would take any action that would build support for America.
RSS