THOUGH quickly dismissed by Washington as a tactical ploy, Iraq’s decision to allow the unconditional return of United Nations’ weapons inspectors was cautiously welcomed by many around the world yesterday.

　　Iraq has agreed to allow the unconditional return of U.N. weapons inspectors, a spectacular turnaround days after U.S. President Bush warned Baghdad to comply with U.N. resolutions or face military action.

　　Iraq said in a letter addressed Monday to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan that its decision to allow the inspectors’ return was taken “to remove any doubts that Iraq still possesses weapons of mass destruction.”

　　Russia and China said Baghdad’s about-face was a victory for concerted international efforts.

　　“We hope that Iraq will comprehensively implement the U.N. resolutions to create the necessary conditions for the orderly and peaceful resolution of the Iraq issue,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said.

　　German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who has been outspoken in his opposition to military action against Iraq, said Baghdad’s offer was “very welcome.”

　　But Britain, America’s closest ally, questioned Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s motives.

　　A spokeswoman in Prime Minister Tony Blair’s office said Saddam had a history of “playing games” and warned that weapons inspectors must have unrestricted access to all areas “any time, any place, anywhere.”

　　In Asia, the news helped lift financial markets that have been weighed down for weeks by fears of war. In Tokyo, stocks rose substantially and the dollar strengthened against the yen. Share prices were also buoyed in Sydney and Hong Kong.

　　Australian Prime Minister John Howard said it was “a cautious first step” in resolving the standoff between Iraq and the international community without resorting to military action.

　　The White House quickly issued a statement writing off the offer as “a tactical step by Iraq in hopes of avoiding strong U.N. Security Council action.’’

　　Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, in New York to meet U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, was equally skeptical.

　　In Malaysia, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said that Iraq’s willingness to allow the inspectors back in should be reciprocated by a lifting of sanctions.(SD-Agencies)