The decision, made at Geneva headquarters, to consider resuming operations came after receiving what officials here described as "credible assurances" of the safety of its workers in Lebanon.

In addition, he questioned whether Moscow could offer credible assurances that it would never invade Eastern Europe.

Removal by the independent judiciary alone could never provide such credible assurance.

"Britain deserves not only an apology from the White House but credible assurances that such episodes will not occur again," the Times said.

In addition, he said, it should give "credible assurances" that it has abandoned the use of terrorism as "an instrument of state policy."

As a condition for returning, Red Cross workers demanded "credible assurances" for their safety.

"We were given credible assurances this would never happen."

Its absence severely limits "our ability to provide credible assurances."

The Additional Protocol, once it is widely in force, will provide credible assurance that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in the states concerned.

Or if Mr ElBaradei thought it were possible, and I quote 'within the next few months to provide credible assurance that Iraq has no nuclear weapons programme'.