United Nations: The United Nations weapons inspectors are preparing to interview former and current scientists associated with Iraqi weapons of mass destruction programmes, after chief inspector Hans Blix sought a complete list of the scientists in a letter to Iraqi presidential adviser Amir al-Saadi.

In the letter, Blix has asked Iraq to provide a list of all personnel currently and formerly associated with its chemical, biological and ballistic missile programmes, and diplomats say it would not be long before they start quizzing them.

The US is pressing the inspectors to interview the scientists, as Washington fears that inspections would lead nowhere. The information that comes from the scientists who know about the programmes and helped run them would reveal much more, it argues.

The US has been pressing inspectors to whisk the key scientists out of the country along with their families to enable them to speak freely without fear of the Saddam Hussein government.

But Blix appears to be undecided about this, as several issues would need to be resolved including what should be done with them if Iraq refuses to allow them back or they are not prepared to go back after they give the information and seek asylum in another country.

Meanwhile, US, Russia and France have sent Blix comments on the Iraqi dossier on the status of its weapons of mass destruction, which the five permanent members of the Security Council got on December 8.

The comments include which parts of the dossier they want to be deleted before it is given to the ten non-permanent members.

Britain is expected to submit the comments on December 16. It was not known when China would do so.

Blix is expected to brief the Council on December 19.

PTI