BAGHDAD, Iraq - A day after accepting a tough new United Nations resolution, Iraq predicted yesterday more trouble with the United States as Baghdad prepares to receive weapons inspectors for the first time in nearly four years.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, meanwhile, combined a renewed threat of force with an assurance to the Iraqi people that they would be richer if Saddam Hussein was gone.
The newspaper Babil, owned by Hussein's son Odai, called on Iraq's traditional Security Council allies - Russia, France and China - to remain vigilant about America's true intentions.
"Our problem and crisis with the United States is not over yet and may have just begun," the influential newspaper said in a front-page editorial.
Blair, America's staunchest ally, broadcast a message into Iraq, saying, "The standard of living and prosperity of the Iraqi people would be infinitely greater were Saddam not there."
The prime minister hoped his message would reach Hussein, the Iraqi people "and the wider Arab world," his spokesman said in London. It was broadcast yesterday by the Arabic service of Radio Monte Carlo - the most popular shortwave station reaching Iraq.
"One of the reasons I wanted to speak to you today is to communicate with people directly, because what happens in a situation like this is that there are myths that grow up," Blair said. "I have just dealt with one myth, that this is about Christians versus Muslims - it isn't - or is about the West versus the Arab world, or it's about oil."
Blair said Hussein's regime was "brutal and oppressive," and if he didn't disarm, "the weapons will be disarmed by force."
On the streets of Baghdad, ordinary Iraqis expressed concern that the Americans were bent on a military showdown regardless of whether their government cooperated with the U.N. inspectors.
"We are happy that the crisis has been defused for the time being, but I think the war is inevitable," said Salah Ali, a 44-year-old bookstore owner.
State-run Iraqi TV continued to air songs and praises for Hussein, including previously seen footage of the nation's leader meeting his commanders and ordinary Iraqis chanting slogans in support of Hussein.
Iraq informed the United Nations on Wednesday that it had accepted the latest U.N. resolution and would allow international inspectors to resume the search for weapons of mass destruction, which was suspended in 1998. An advance team of inspectors is expected in Baghdad on Monday, with formal inspections to begin in 10 days.
President Bush has warned that the United States will show "zero tolerance" of any Iraqi obstruction and has threatened war if Baghdad fails to comply with the resolution.
Iraq insists it no longer possesses banned weapons, despite Washington's insistence that it does. In its editorial, Babil said Iraq's acceptance of the "unjust resolution" shows its "good intentions and reaffirms that the country is clear of weapons of mass destruction."
U.N. inspectors left Iraq before U.S. airstrikes on Baghdad in December 1998, and Baghdad barred the return of inspectors. The Bush administration maintains that Iraq has used the four-year absence to rebuild banned weapons programs.
Iraq's government-controlled newspapers published the text of Iraq's nine-page letter to the United Nations accepting the resolution.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, meanwhile, combined a renewed threat of force with an assurance to the Iraqi people that they would be richer if Saddam Hussein was gone.
The newspaper Babil, owned by Hussein's son Odai, called on Iraq's traditional Security Council allies - Russia, France and China - to remain vigilant about America's true intentions.
"Our problem and crisis with the United States is not over yet and may have just begun," the influential newspaper said in a front-page editorial.
Blair, America's staunchest ally, broadcast a message into Iraq, saying, "The standard of living and prosperity of the Iraqi people would be infinitely greater were Saddam not there."
The prime minister hoped his message would reach Hussein, the Iraqi people "and the wider Arab world," his spokesman said in London. It was broadcast yesterday by the Arabic service of Radio Monte Carlo - the most popular shortwave station reaching Iraq.
"One of the reasons I wanted to speak to you today is to communicate with people directly, because what happens in a situation like this is that there are myths that grow up," Blair said. "I have just dealt with one myth, that this is about Christians versus Muslims - it isn't - or is about the West versus the Arab world, or it's about oil."
Blair said Hussein's regime was "brutal and oppressive," and if he didn't disarm, "the weapons will be disarmed by force."
On the streets of Baghdad, ordinary Iraqis expressed concern that the Americans were bent on a military showdown regardless of whether their government cooperated with the U.N. inspectors.
"We are happy that the crisis has been defused for the time being, but I think the war is inevitable," said Salah Ali, a 44-year-old bookstore owner.
State-run Iraqi TV continued to air songs and praises for Hussein, including previously seen footage of the nation's leader meeting his commanders and ordinary Iraqis chanting slogans in support of Hussein.
Iraq informed the United Nations on Wednesday that it had accepted the latest U.N. resolution and would allow international inspectors to resume the search for weapons of mass destruction, which was suspended in 1998. An advance team of inspectors is expected in Baghdad on Monday, with formal inspections to begin in 10 days.
President Bush has warned that the United States will show "zero tolerance" of any Iraqi obstruction and has threatened war if Baghdad fails to comply with the resolution.
Iraq insists it no longer possesses banned weapons, despite Washington's insistence that it does. In its editorial, Babil said Iraq's acceptance of the "unjust resolution" shows its "good intentions and reaffirms that the country is clear of weapons of mass destruction."
U.N. inspectors left Iraq before U.S. airstrikes on Baghdad in December 1998, and Baghdad barred the return of inspectors. The Bush administration maintains that Iraq has used the four-year absence to rebuild banned weapons programs.
Iraq's government-controlled newspapers published the text of Iraq's nine-page letter to the United Nations accepting the resolution.