It means the destruction of those arms and the means to make them, and Iraqi cooperation as inspectors do their work.

"This work can be done quite quickly with full Iraqi cooperation," he added.

He also rejected the recent criticisms from the chief weapons inspectors about Iraqi cooperation in the inspections.

Pieces of such a strategy are already in place, including international weapons inspections and the readiness to use military force to coerce Iraqi cooperation.

But there is a limit to what the international community can do in the absence of Iraqi cooperation.

The suspension could be renewed at four-month intervals, depending on continued Iraqi cooperation.

Washington says it is against removing sanctions until inspectors get total Iraqi cooperation and verification.

A new round of inspections must begin no more than 15 days later, with full Iraqi cooperation.

All went ahead with full Iraqi cooperation, albeit with some bureaucratic delays.

Such individuals are now largely unknown, the official said, and discovering their identities will take much work or unusual Iraqi cooperation.