A welcome shift: no evidence, no war

Saddam Hussein has launched his weapon of mass obfuscation: 11,807 pages allegedly listing everything in a country twice the size of Britain which could be used to make chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.

No doubt, this is partly intended as a dry commentary on the concept of "dual use" which has caused so much difficulty in policing the sanctions. But it is also an essential part of the "due process" which, it is reasonable to hope, could avert a terrible and unnecessary war. Very few people outside the Baath party would trust President Saddam to make a full disclosure of the current state of his attempts, well documented in the past, to acquire weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). But it is important that he is given the chance to do so. International justice must both be done and be seen to be done.

What matters, though, is what the United Nations weapons inspectors find on the ground in Iraq.

Already, the Americans seem to be engaged in the traditional diplomatic sport of goalpost-moving. Yesterday, US officials were talking about forming a separate team of inspectors who could be entrusted with US intelligence and who would take a more aggressive approach to surprise searches. Have they learnt nothing from the expulsion of the last team of UN inspectors four years ago? They were accused by Iraq of having American spies in their midst – an accusation which carried some force in world opinion mainly because it was true.

However, there are welcome signs that Britain is not slavishly following the US line. Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, said that he had "total confidence" in the UN inspection team led by Hans Blix. That makes it clear where Britain will stand if – and this must be the most probable outcome – Dr Blix announces in the spring that his team has searched Iraq thoroughly and can find no evidence of WMD capability.

President George Bush, having been persuaded by domestic opinion to go to the UN to seek its authority for war, cannot change the rules of the game simply because the outcome does not suit his prejudices. No evidence – no war. The world should make that clear now, before the Americans try to create any more wriggle room.