In a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan received late Monday afternoon, Iraq agreed to allow the unconditional return of United Nations weapons inspectors who have been withdrawn from the country since Dec. 1998.

The White House reacted skeptically to the letter, sent by Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri, calling the agreement a tactical move conceived under intense international pressure to dodge harsh U.N. Security Council repercussions.

“This is a tactical step by Iraq in hopes of avoiding strong U.N. Security Council action. As such, it is a tactic that will fail,” said White House spokesperson Scott McLellan in a written statement. McLellan said a “new, effective U.N. Security Council resolution that will actually deal with the threat Saddam Hussein poses” was still necessary.

The letter received yesterday, which did not specifically mention the United States, said Baghdad had based its decision “on its desire to complete the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions and to remove any doubts that Iraq still possesses weapons of mass destruction.”

The agreement was most likely prompted by President Bush’s address to the United Nations last Thursday asking for the passage of a resolution that would allow for invasion of Iraq if the country’s leader, Saddam Hussein, refuses to comply with Security Council resolutions. More specifically, Bush demanded Iraq allow U.N. weapons inspectors to reenter the country, which he believes holds a significant arsenal of chemical, biological and possibly nuclear weapons.

Several Massachusetts congressmen commended Bush’s U.N. address last week, which they said demonstrated his willingness to consult the global community and rally support for possible military action against Iraq.

Still, some said while they agree Saddam Hussein poses “a serious threat,” they are opposed to a preemptive and unprovoked attack against Iraq.

“I have grave reservations about the possibility of a military strike on Iraq at this time,” said Democratic Representative Michael Capuano in a written statement. “I believe that Saddam Hussein is a dangerous individual and I am deeply concerned about Iraq’s capacity to produce and willingness to use weapons of mass destruction. I believe if Iraq is armed with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, it would pose a serious threat to the region and the world.

“However, we must explore every option before we resort to military action. I am encouraged that the President appears willing to work with the United Nations Security Council in addressing this international concern,” Capuano said.

Democratic Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy praised Bush for expressing America’s desire to work with the United Nations to eliminate the threat of weapons of mass destruction posed by Iraq.

“President Bush today began an important process of laying out America’s case to the world for eliminating the threat of weapons of mass destruction posed by an unchecked, unharnessed Saddam Hussein,” Kerry said. “This is an important first step many of us — Republican and Democrat — have been calling for, not just in the last days, but in the last years — literally going back to Saddam’s first obstinate resistance to unfettered arms inspections.”

Agreeing with Capuano, Kerry went on to say the United States should continue to explore all options of how to deal with Iraq.

“It is our job to continue to push for a responsible approach to addressing this threat … and it is by asking tough questions, demanding the best answer — the fullest debate over our strategy and our options — that we will find the right approach for our country,” Kerry said.

President Bush has vowed to seek “regime change” in Iraq, and U.S. officials have refused to rule out military action regardless of whether the inspections resume.

Kennedy, who said he has “no doubt” Saddam Hussein’s regime is a serious threat, said the world has a responsibility to join the effort spearheaded by the United States to end the world threat Iraq poses.

“The world community has a clear responsibility to do all it can to prevent Iraq from threatening other nations with chemical, biological or nuclear weapons,” Kennedy said.

Democratic Representative Stephen Lynch called Bush’s address a “huge step in the right direction,” but stressed the necessary global support needed before engaging in a costly and potentially long occupation of Iraq.

“Any invasion of Iraq will require a commitment of thousands of troops over many years, and the United States can’t afford to do it alone,” Lynch said. “We must have the support of the international community before we put American lives on the line in Iraq.”

Assuming Saddam Hussein will be removed, Lynch said the world should participate financially as well as militarily in policing the area after his removal.

“If this is a mission for world peace, the world should pitch in.”

Reuters International News Services contributed to this report.