Today is the fifth day UN arms inspectors have started work in Iraq in search for the country's reported chemical and nuclear arsenals. Yet, they have yet found nothing in their searches, provoking suggestions that Baghdad had been right in denying U.S. accusations over the country's deadly weapons.

Still, Washington has not been waiting to see what the outcome of UN arms inspections will be, and is pouring its forces and military hardware into the Persian Gulf to begin a long-expected camping that already seems inevitable, irrespective of inspection results.

However, Iraq's Charge d'Affairs in Tehran Abdulsattar al-Rawi in an interview with TEHRAN TIMES said UN inspectors can prove to the world that the remarks of U.S. President George W. Bush are "sheer lies", stressing that the White House merely is seeking a pretext to start a war against Iraq.

Al-Rawi believes that Baghdad's decision to accept the Security Council resolution 1441, which he believes is American and not UN engineered, has been in line with the country's policy to cooperate with the UN.

Still, he stresses that by accepting the resolution, the Iraqi government has tried to prove it to the world that what its leadership says regarding U.S. charges of mass destruction weapons controversy is true, and Washington's accusations are "utter lies".

On the other hand, al-Rawi says, Iraq has tried to foil U.S. ploys by accepting the resolution, and has tried not to give a pretext to the U.S to attack the country.

"Now, by the return of UN inspectors to Iraq, the international community will realize that Washington's allegations against Baghdad are all nothing but 'lies'. This is the best opportunity for Iraq to reveal the hypocritical and war-mongering identity of the U.S. to the world," he says.

However, he warns, any idea that the government of Iraqi President Saddam Hussain will be overthrown is a dream for Baghdad's internal or external enemies that will never be materialized as the realities in Iraq are so different from what our enemies are yearning to get. "Iraq is not like a desert the inhabitants of which will hold their hands up to surrender to the U.S.," al-Rawi said. "The Iraqi people are already determined to withstand any foreign aggression to the last drop of their blood. People have become united to deal a heavy blow to the U.S. once it starts the war on our country."

Iraqi charge d'Affairs in Tehran said Baghdad never advocates war, and that it is the U.S. that is seeking war and blood-shed. Dialogue and peace, he stresses, are the best solution to the settlement of disputes.

Asked what about the list of weapons the Iraqi is going to submit to UN arms inspectors, al-Rawi said Baghdad will provide the details of its weapons hardware to the world body, but regretted that many of inquiries in that connection are beyond the ability of Iraq. We, he said, expect the UN not to ask us to carry out its "unrealistic demands."

"UN demands are like a 'mine field' in front of Iraq. They are waiting to see if Iraq takes a wrong step so that they may drag the country into a war. But we never advocate a war, and cherish real peace," al-Rawi said.

The Iraqi official further called the resolution 1441 as 'complicate in which very fine and delicate points are included'. "Resolution 1441 is a trap devised to ensnare Iraq, but, God-willing, we will pass this crisis," he said. "We know what they are looking for. So, we will act in a way to frustrate U.S. efforts to start a war against Iraq."

Al-Rawi said Iraq is ready to cooperate with the UN, but regretted that the Security Council has not adopted a just and fair approach toward Baghdad.

He further urged Muslim nations to call on the UN and Secretary-General Kofi Annan to have arms inspectors consider justice and fairness in their activities in Iraq.

"We will furnish the UN with documented data that we absolutely possess no weapons of mass destruction. We have also provided the world body with necessary information on the weapons we have destroyed so far. But Iraq never requires such arms as long as there exist brave Iraqi men and women," the official said.

Q: But Bush had said a few days earlier that Iraq had hidden its weapons of mass destruction, or even buried them.

A: These are ridiculous lies. The UN weapons inspectors are now in Iraq, and they be able to prove how stupid Bush's claims are. Bush is a warmongering moron who knows nothing but war.

Unfortunately we are dealing with someone who knows nothing about international politics. He is after reviving colonialism. Even the American people have realized this. If you look at his administration you see such characters as Rice, Rumsfeld, Cheney, and Powell, who exude hostility and evilness.

Q: In the face of such a criminal band, why isn't Iraq adopting policies that would foil their objectives? A: we are trying to avoid war and are asking other countries to assist us in our efforts. Islamic countries are duty-bound to help us evade war.

Q: What measures have Iraq undertaken to prevent a war? A: I believe that the U.S. will never stop its lies. In spite of our acceptance of the UN resolution, their continue their threats. We will continue our cooperation with the UN, but should the U.S. wage a war on us we will defend ourselves to the bitter end.

Q: The U.S. continues to use the phrase "dire consequences" should there be a perception that Iraq has not cooperated with the UN. Will Iraq cooperate fully with the UN? A: As I said our cooperation will be complete. But we wanted the inspection team to contain members form Arab countries as well, and not to be merely composed of Westerners, or American and Israeli spies. We want an objective inspection.

Q: In pre-1998 inspections, Iraq had accused some of the inspection team as being spies, which of course was confirmed later. What is your assessment of the current team? A: We hope this time around things would be different. Of course the espionage doesn't take place in an over manner. But the head of the team, Hands Belix, has assured that he will prevent any spying form taking place.

Q: Do you believe it? A: We believe it until we see otherwise. We want to reach a framework for honest and full cooperation.

Q: What will be your reaction should you detect any spying going on? A: Will talk about then.

Q: It seems as if the only justification left for the U.S. to attack Iraq is if the inspectors find some incriminating evidence. The *****Washington Post ******* has said that the White House was pushing the inspectors to come up with some kind of evidence that could be construed as a violation. Will Iraq give them an excuse? A: We will surely try to prevent any such event in order to safeguard our independence.

Q: Powell has said that Iraq is trying to postpone the timing for possible military attack on Iraq from winter to summer, but that the U.S. will wage war even in the heat of summer. Is there any truth to Powell's claim? A: We are only thinking about peace not war. We have said to all the world leaders that we have no weapons of mass destruction. We are not seeking war. For the first time the countries of both East and West are unanimous about an issue and that is opposition to war, for everyone is tired of American warmongering. They have all realized that the U.S. is seeking to rearrange the map of the region in line with its hegemonic designs.

Q: There is talk of a new Iraqi constitution which sanctions the freedom of press and political parties. What are the characteristics of this new constitution? A: The Iraqi constitution was to be ratified in 1991, but was prevented by the U.S. attack. But it is my belief that Iraq is entering upon a new era.

A legal revolution. I believe in the coming year, Iraq is to witness some profound changes. New groups are to enter Iraq. There is going to be a new Iraqi strategy. This is to be unveiled in the next few weeks.

Q: Will the new constitution recognize the legitimacy of dissident groups? A: Every country loves its true children.

Following the new changes everything of going to be different. Every Iraqi interested in transforming his or her country has to begin from within Iraq.

Q: Is the Iraqi government ready to enter into talks with such opposition groups as the Supreme Assembly or the National Congress? A: We hope that all Iraqis, inside and abroad, would cooperate in the realization of this new era. We need everyone's assistance to rebuild Iraq. At this stage our sole enemy is the U.S. Is it conceivable that an Iraqi would fight in the side of America against his own country? Any group interested in the glory of Iraq should return to Iraq and begin working from within the country.

Q: Is the Iraqi government willing to share power with the opposition groups? A: Iraq's door are open to everyone. We have announced our readiness. But are those who are sitting in America and look to an American domination of Iraq, willing to defend their country? Q: Has there been attempts to approach the possibility of such negotiation? A: No. we live in a country like Iraq. Anyone shaking hands with the enemy is not a patriot.