Spy Saga to Break Iraq Deadlock?

The UNSCOM spy debacle may have a silver lining after all: It offers U.N. diplomats a way out of the post-Iraq bombing stalemate. The U.N. has to reach agreement with Iraq within weeks over the return of arms inspectors, and they know that Baghdad wont allow UNSCOM back in its current form, says TIME reporter Stewart Stogel. The spying fiasco will force the U.N. to substantially restructure UNSCOM. And that may be the key to finding an agreement with Baghdad.

Chief weapons inspector Richard Butler on Friday appeared to be fighting for his job as he confronted U.S. officials over the revelations that Washington had used UNSCOM cover to spy on Iraq. His efforts will likely be in vain, and he may bail even before his contract expires in June. The leading contender to replace him is Argentine diplomat Emilio Cardenas, who will be kept on a tight leash by the Security Council and Kofi Annan. Meanwhile, theres no sign of an end to the battle of the no-fly zones. As Saddam works to drum up Arab support, TIME Middle East bureau chief Scott MacLeod believes he is hoping that provoking aerial combat will bag him the ultimate propaganda prize -- a downed U.S. pilot.