Now the Saudi Government, fearful of dissenting domestic forces, would surely distance itself from a raid on Iraq over the inspection issue.

He didn't want to force this inspection issue, and he feels that we pushed him into it.

The organization had 800 members when the inspection issue was broached; when word went out, Ms. Sonke said, 100 more joined in late 1990.

Brent Scowcroft, the President's national security adviser, called the inspection issue critical.

North Korea turned the inspection issue into a crisis a year ago when it insisted the sites were military facilities and refused entry to them.

In any case, last April the Russians banned American pork products until the inspection issue was settled.

The aide expressed confidence that American and Russian negotiators could make progress on the inspection issue.

But to some officials, the new agreement seems more like a temporary truce than a final settlement of the bitter inspection issue.

Assuming progress on the inspection issue, the U.S. is ready to discuss improving relations.

Mr. Hayden argued that the inspection issue has created "enormous problems in terms of the integrity" of the trial.