But the reports in two major u s newspapapers may bolster baghdad's repeated accusations of espionage by the inspectors and make it all the less likely that iraq will let them back into the country in wake of u s and british air raids.

The washington post said annan had convincing evidence that inspectors of the u n special commission (unscom) helped collect intelligence used in u s efforts to undermine the regime of iraqi president saddam hussein.

And the boston globe said u s agents eavesdropped on secret communications between elite military units responsible for saddam's security.

"We have never conducted spying for anybody," an angry butler said in response to the reports. "Have we facilitated spying? are we spies? absolutely not. Don't believe everything that you read in print".

U s state department spokesman james rubin whilealso refuting the allegations yesterday reiterated that the u s and 40 other countries had given only intelligence and logistical help to unscom to help it locate and destroy iraqi weapons.