Despite the fact that the United Nations' weapons inspectors team may resume their duties in Iraq, the United States still sent six B-52 bombers to an island base in the Indian Ocean. Following a background report by Kwame Holman, Jim Lehrer speaks with U.N. Ambassador Bill Richardson about the possible resolution of the Iraqi crisis.

KWAME HOLMAN: The head of the United Nations weapons inspection team today said inspectors who left Iraq one week ago could be back on the job as early as tomorrow.

BUTLER: I will consult quickly this morning with the Security Council to see that this is all straight forward. But if that all checks out, we'll be on the plane tomorrow morning and back in business on Friday.

KWAME HOLMAN: This morning Iraq's Revolutionary Council and its ruling Baath Party cleared the way for the inspectors to return, including those Americans who were expelled, when the agreement reached Tuesday between Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov. This morning in Cairo Aziz relayed his understanding of the agreement.

TARIQ AZIZ, Deputy Prime Minister, Iraq: I did not make a deal in Moscow. As I said both in Arabic and in English, I said that the Russian Federation showed understanding to the legitimate concerns and grievances of Iraq, which we explained to them fully. They realized that there is lack of balance, a lack of balance in the Special Commission, and its performance inside Iraq. They are a permanent member of the Security Council, and they promised that they would do their best in coordination and cooperation with the other members in order to correct the wrong situation.

KWAME HOLMAN: Meanwhile, in Geneva, Russian Foreign Minister Primakov provided details of the agreement to the foreign ministers of France and Britain, a diplomat from China, and to U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Afterwards, Albright wanted to make clear the United States had agreed to no concessions.

SEC. MADELEINE ALBRIGHT: The United States has not agreed to anything. Our position has been clear--is clear that Iraq must be in full compliance with all relevant resolutions.

KWAME HOLMAN: National Security Adviser Samuel Berger reiterated that position this morning at the White House.

SAMUEL BERGER, National Security Adviser: Let me say a word about the bilateral understanding that is referred to in the communique that was issued by Russia and by Iraq. That is an understanding between Russian and Iraq. It is not binding on us or on the U.N. It is not something that we are obligated to in any respect, or is the U.N. So, in short, we will continue in very steady way over the days ahead to pursue the strategy that the president outlined from the beginning, which is to pursue diplomacy for the objective of full compliance backed by strength.

KWAME HOLMAN: That strength includes a beefed up military presence in the Persian Gulf. In fact, early this morning, even as Baghdad Radio was announcing Iraq would let U.N. inspectors return, six more B-52 bombers, each equipped with Cruise missiles, lifted off from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana for a 28-hour flight to an island base in the Indian Ocean. And today the Pentagon announced it would send 32 additional warplanes this weekend, bring the total number of aircraft in the Gulf region to 280. But after meeting with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan today in New York, Defense Secretary William Cohen said that would be all for now.

SEC. WILLIAM COHEN: As you know, there have been additional aircraft being sent to the region. I would anticipate that that would make a sufficient complement that we have in the region for the time being. After today I would not see the need for additional aircraft or assets, unless the commander in chief of central command should require it.

KWAME HOLMAN: Meanwhile, Saddam Hussein designated today the first annual day of the people to celebrate what he called Iraq's victory. In Baghdad, hundreds faced anti-US demonstrations, writing "Down with America" on schools, homes, factories, and in public squares.