SADDAM Hussein is a past master of diplomatic gimmicks. His record clearly shows that his word counts for nothing.

It is understandable, therefore, for both Britain and the United States to be sceptical of Saddam's surprise offer of talks on the readmission of United Nations weapons inspectors.

The UN, after all, has been trying for four years, without success, to negotiate a way for its inspectors to return.

It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that this olive branch from Baghdad is the latest in a long line of cynical attempts by Iraq to undermine the West.

The timing of the offer, just as President Bush is hinting of a military offensive to topple the regime, is unlikely to be coincidental.

In the past Saddam has been adept at trying to exploit signs of disunity in the diplomatic and military powers waged against him.

It is timely, therefore, that his offer comes in the week that King Abdullah of Jordan, a close ally of the West, has voiced grave concerns at the prospect of action against his neighbour.

Nevertheless, the US and the UN have little option but to play Saddam's game.

It is vital that support for any action against Iraq remains as cohesive as ever.

To reject Saddam's offer out of hand will be viewed as intransigent by other states in the Middle East and be counter-productive.

There is a chance, a slight chance, that Saddam's offer is genuine. If that is so, then the US and the UN are duty bound to seize the opportunity for stability and the removal of weapons of mass destruction from an unstable regime.

It just could be that Saddam at last sees the writing on the wall, that opening up Iraq to UN inspectors is the only way to end the crippling sanctions and remove the real threat of invasion and overthrow.

While history suggests this is out of character for Saddam, history will not forgive the West for failing to grasp the chance to further the cause of security in the Middle East.