I think you’ll find that the position was, lets let the inspectors find the PROOF before we do anything stupid
Bush was the one who insisted that there ARE WMD in Iraq. Now let him proove they have been dismantled so that sanctions can be lifted
(BTW I actually think sanctions should be lifted - but not until there is an elected government controlling Iraq)
Yes, there was a little irony in that particular situation. 
However, now that Bush is free to act as he pleases, he’s decided to keep the sanctions for another year ! Something’s happened that’s made him shift his strategy on sanctions. I doubt that his reason for this a renewed threat from clandestine Iraqi weapons programs. So what is it ?
well the UN approved the lifting of most sanctions against Iraq in May, and so the US followed suit. (http://www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/js427.htm) They can resume trade, oil exports and such but they are prohibited from arms deals and shielded from lawsuits…the freeze on assets is continued…that sort of thing.
when there is an elected government and when Iraq’s existing debt is restructured, controls will be lifted. jmo.