Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal has suggested offering guarantees of personal safety and continued employment to representatives of the Iraqi government in exchange for their help in isolating President Saddam Hussein."The best way is to provide amnesty to the government of Iraq, (allowing it) to continue to perform its duties to keep order," Prince Saud told Time magazine.

Under the proposal described by the weekly, the amnesty offer would apply to Iraqi officials and military officers who demonstrate their readiness to cooperate with UN weapons inspectors by disclosing secret arms caches and otherwise ensuring Iraq's compliance with UN disarmament resolutions.

"Instead of constantly harping, 'If you don't do what we want, we will pursue you,' say the reverse: 'If you do what we want, you will not be pursued, you will secure yourself and your future,'" Prince Saud advised the United States. "I fail to see how Iraqis wouldn't accept this approach in the face of certain destruction."

The Saudis believe such an approach will help isolate Saddam Hussein, encourage his overthrow and thus prevent the war.

Prince Saud said Saudi Arabia wanted to transform efforts aimed at Iraq's occupation into an effort designed to guarantee the security and territorial integrity of the country.

"The essential part of it is for the (present) Iraqi government to be a functioning government, to allow for a peaceful transition," he said.

He did not offer an explanation how he expected to neutralize Iraqi security services that are currently enforcing the loyalty of all government employees to Saddam Hussein.

But he admitted the idea of US occupation of Iraq appeared unpalatable to the Saudi royal family and others in the Arab world.

"My God, the idea of an occupation of Baghdad by the armed forces of the United States is unimaginable," said Prince Saud. "This was the flower of Arab civilization."

PHOTO CAPTION

Prince Saud speaks to reporters at the White House