On February 14, 2003, UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission executive chairman Hans Blix addressed the United Nations concerning the status of weapons inspections in Iraq. In his speech, excerpted here, he stated that Iraq had accelerated its cooperation but that inspectors needed more time to verify its compliance.

Since we arrived in Iraq [in 2003], we have conducted more than 400 inspections covering more than 300 sites. All inspections were performed without notice, and access was almost always provided promptly. In no case have we seen convincing evidence that the Iraqi side knew in advance that the inspectors were coming.

The inspections have taken place throughout Iraq at industrial sites, ammunition depots, research centers, universities, presidential sites, mobile laboratories, private houses, missile production facilities, military camps and agricultural sites. At all sites which had been inspected before 1998, re-baselining activities were performed. This included...