31.   Since August, Saddam has halted all new arms inspections by the United Nations Special Commission.

32.   Since U.S. and British air strikes in mid-December, there have been no arms inspections in Iraq.

33.   Some diplomats have questioned whether easing the sanctions would reduce the incentive to comply with resumed arms inspections, which the Iraqis flatly oppose.

34.   The coalition is determined to whittle U.N. arms inspection down to a useless splinter and lift U.N. economic sanctions on Iraq.

35.   The official said that Albright had emphasized that the United States opposes any changes in sanctions rules until the Iraqis demonstrate compliance with arms inspections.

36.   The Security Council decided Monday night to extend sanctions against Iraq, ignoring threats from Baghdad that it would disrupt future arms inspections if the sanctions were not lifted.

37.   The Russians, who are owed billions of dollars by the Iraqis and foresee future lucrative contracts, would also lift sanctions before introducing arms inspections.

38.   Then the crisis over arms inspections early this year intervened.

39.   Amin also noted that regular arms inspections were continuing amid the dispute.

40.   Annan has already said that he has no plans to mediate the latest crisis over U.N. arms inspections.