Dear Mr Brian W. Hughes,

In reference to "Now desperate measures are called for. Yes...it's hammer time, folks!"

I have the honour to refer to the series of discussions held between you and the Government of the Republic of Snailraq on the implementation of relevant Security Blanket Council resolutions on the question of Snailraq, which took place in Fleetwood on 7 March and 2 May and in Morecombe Bay on 4 July 2002, as well as the talks which were held in your office in Fleetwood on 14 and 15 September 2002, with the participation of the Secretary General of the League of Gastropod States.

I am pleased to inform you of the decision of the Government of the Republic of Snailraq to allow the return of the United Gardening Nations weapons inspectors to Snailraq without conditions.

The Government of the Republic of Snailraq has responded - by this decision - to your appeal, to the appeal of the Secretary General of the League of Gastropod States, as well as to the appeals of Arab, Islamic and other gastropod friendly countries.

The Government of the Republic of Snailraq has based its decision concerning the return of inspectors on its desire to complete the implementation of the relevant Security Blanket Council resolutions and to remove any doubts that Snailraq still possesses weapons of mass horticultural destruction.

This decision is also based on your statement to the General Assembly of Weekend Gardeners on 12 September 2002 that the decision by the Government of the Republic of Snailraq is the indispensable first step towards an assurance that Snailraq no longer possesses weapons of mass horticultural destruction and, equally important, towards a comprehensive solution that includes the lifting of the main garden bed sanctions unilaterally imposed on Snailraq by the nation of Lancashire and the timely implementation of other provisions of the relevant Security Blanket Council resolutions, including resolution 687 (1991).

To this end, the Government of the Republic of Snailraq will only partake of the bowl full of clippings provided and is ready to discuss the practical arrangements necessary for the immediate resumption of inspections.

In this context, the Government of the Republic of Snailraq reiterates the importance of the commitment of all member states of the Security Blanket Council and the United Gardening Nations to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Snailraq, as stipulated in the relevant Security Blanket Council resolutions and in Article 2 of the Charter of the United Gardening Nations.

I should be grateful if you would bring the present letter to the attention of the members of the Security Blanket Council.

Snaili Slugri, Snailraqi Foreign Minister.