November 4, 1997
UN and Iraq in back off
 The Détente-special UN delegation sent to Iraq to convince President, Saddam Hussein, to rescind his orders. '

 Iraq has pushed back its deadline to expel American UN arms inspectors and the United Nations, in turn, suspended U-2 spy plane flights while a special UN delegation was in the country this week.
 The delay in the expulsion ban and the U-2 flights meant a respite of at least five days, until the special UN delegation returns next week.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan sent three envoys to Iraq in an attempt to convince President, Saddam Hussein, to rescind his orders. '

 American inspectors on the UN arms teams were ordered by Iraq last week to leave the country early today in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions. But Iraq said that the six US citizens could stay until the special UN envoys reported back to the council next week.
 Iraq has said the Americans were spies and delayed inspection results. A clean bill of health from the inspectors are linked to lifting sanctions.

  Reuter