1.   Chief weapons inspector Richard Butler said this month that Iraq was still trying to hide information on banned weapons programs and impede U.N. inspections.

2.   In the past, the Iraqis have withheld escorts for the U.N. teams as a way of impeding the inspections, which are usually carried out as surprise visits.

3.   Two weeks ago, Butler said Iraq was still hiding weapons and trying to impede inspections.

4.   Two weeks ago, Butler, a former Australian ambassador to the United Nations, said Iraq was still hiding weapons and trying to impede inspections.

5.   Washington has argued against any compromise that would give Saddam a way to impede inspections and build weapons stockpiles.

6.   But Iraq insisted that it had no intention of impeding the inspections and said the incidents in March were caused by practical difficulties.