WHY NOT JUST ERECT A BIG SIGN SAYING ATTACK US AND WE'LL RUN AWAY AGAIN LEAVING THIS ISSUE UNRESOLVED?

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan says he is willing to send a mission to Iraq to assess whether elections can be held by mid-year.

But the statement released today while he was in Paris says Annan would only send such a mission once he is satisfied the U.S-led authorities will provide adequate security arrangements.