Salim al-Koubaisi spoke Monday as the full parliament debated whether or not to accept the resolution. More debate, and possibly a vote, is expected Tuesday. Here in Washington, U-S National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice said she is skeptical of the independence of the Iraqi parliament and its deliberations, saying Iraq has no choice but to accept the resolution.
The Iraqi lawmakers are to pass along their decisions to the country's leadership council, headed by President Saddam Hussein, who will make the final decision. Iraq has until Friday to accept or reject the resolution, which was unanimously approved last week by the U-N Security Council.
The Council is demanding that Baghdad give weapons inspectors access to any location in Iraq at any time. Top officials of the U-N inspection team are prepared to travel to Baghdad next Monday for initial work.
Arab League foreign ministers, who met for the past two days in Cairo, say they expect Iraq to accept the resolution. The V-O-A correspondent in Cairo, citing a high-level source within the Arab League, reports Iraq has assured League officials it will fully accept the terms.
The United States has threatened military action if Iraq does not comply.
Russian officials Monday urged Iraq to cooperate with weapons inspectors. Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov said the resolution has reduced the threat of war and that a lot depends now on Iraq.