A batch of 80 UN special commission (UNSCOM) inspectors and six International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) staff arrived in the Baghdad-based monitoring and verification centre from Bahrain. The development followed Butler yesterday ordering his staff to move back to work following Iraq's promise to provide unfettered access to the world body monitors, in charge of dismantling weapons of mass destruction in the country.

The monitors were received with banners of an American group reading ``5,67,000 children have died due to economic sanctions since last eight years'' and ``End sanctions''.

Butler told Channel Nine television in Sydney that ``I hope they (Iraq) do it fully and as soon as possible because one thing is clear -- this is probably the last chance.''

``I think everyone in theworld knows this is it, this is the last chance, people are tired of this merry-go-round with Iraq,'' Butler added.

In Washington, Defence Secretary William Cohen warned that Baghdad would be ``quickly put to the test'', and said Iraq must produce documentation and open all sites to UN inspectors to avert US military action.

``I think everyone understands that this is the last go round as far as Saddam is concerned,'' Cohen told reporters. Nevertheless, Cohen said the US military buildup in the Gulf was being halted and aircraft that were on route probably would come home in the next several days. Those that reached the region -- including B-52 and B-1 bombers -- will stay for now, he said.

``But no more hiding and seeking and playing games.We will see very quickly in the next two weeks or perhaps even longer, but nonetheless within a short period of time whether he is going to comply,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Iraq's fortuitous backdown on UN arms inspections -- minutes before the launch of US airstrikes -- has raised dark suspicions here that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was tipped off.

US officials say they have no evidence that Washington's war plans were betrayed and they note all Baghdad had to do was to tune in to CNN to hear that a US attack was imminent.

``I don't know of any evidence that they were tipped off beyond the tips you could get from watching CNN, which is not to say they have might not have been,'' a US official said.

But the Pentagon in particular is taking a close look at what happened to see if the air strikes ordered on Friday night by President Bill Clinton were compromised by a security breach, a defence official said.

The strikes, set for Saturday, were less than an hour away when the news came that Baghdad was sending a letter to the United Nations promising unconditional cooperation with UN arms inspections. ``Without a doubt there's either a high level of coincidence or it may be an indication he might have had real information,'' the official sad.

ThePentagon believed that if its forces in the Gulf struck on Saturday they could still achieve a degree of tactical surpass because Baghdad had not yet dispersed all its forces, leaving them more vulnerable to attack, the Pentagon official said.