"But, as you have intimated, I am among those who would be very wary of any military action in the light of Saddam Hussein's willingness to allow the weapons inspectors to go in"

The quote by George Carey shows a careful position regarding military intervention in Iraq during the period when Saddam Hussein was under analysis for prospective ownership of weapons of mass damage. To interpret this quote, it is very important to understand the broader historical and political context.

In the early 2000s, the global community, especially the United States and the United Kingdom, was deeply worried about Iraq's alleged development of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) under the management of Saddam Hussein. This period followed the Gulf War and was marked by tension and suspicion. The UN had actually enforced severe sanctions on Iraq and required that it adhere to weapons assessments to validate the presence or absence of WMDs.

George Carey, who functioned as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1991 to 2002, approaches the possibility of military action with care. His usage of the expression "as you have intimated" shows that he is responding to or verifying a formerly revealed issue, suggesting that this was a subject of wider public discourse. His position is among vigilance, as he acknowledges the potential consequences of military action.

Carey stresses being "extremely cautious" of turning to military force, recommending an awareness of the ethical and humanitarian implications, along with the potential for escalation into broader conflict. He bases his caution on Saddam Hussein's "willingness to allow the weapons inspectors to go in". This suggests that Hussein had actually shown a degree of compliance with worldwide demands by permitting UN inspectors to analyze Iraq's supposed WMD programs. It appears that Carey is advocating for the exploration of diplomatic solutions and inspections as a way to resolve the issue, rather than right away resorting to war.

In summary, George Carey's quote emphasizes care and highlights the value of pursuing peaceful and diplomatic ways of dispute resolution, rather than quickly engaging in military actions that could result in substantial effects. His view underscores the importance of exhausting all possible avenues for peace and guaranteeing sensible factors exist before devoting to war.