1.   Palace inspections are not expected to start until the United Nations and the Iraqis agree on new rules for them.

2.   And next weekend, the chief U.N. arms inspector, Richard Butler, is due in Baghdad to kick off the palace inspections.

3.   Aziz negotiated and signed an agreement with Annan last month that opened the way for the palace inspections and averted a threatened U.S. attack on Iraq.

4.   Aziz negotiated and signed the agreement with Annan last month that opened the way for the palace inspections and averted a threatened U.S. attack on Iraq.

5.   But the two countries have kept their forces in the Gulf to ensure that the palace inspections take place.

6.   Butler has not said how long the palace inspections will take.

7.   Butler said Tuesday that the palace inspections would last about two weeks, and he did not rule out future visits.

8.   Critics say the presence of diplomats on palace inspections will complicate the element of surprise and undermine the U.N. Special Commission, which performs them.

9.   Critics claimed the presence of diplomats on palace inspections will complicate the element of surprise and undermine the U.N. Special Commission, which performs them.

10.   Duelfer did not rule out more detailed palace inspections in the future.