National News

U.S. delivers draft resolution on Iraq to U.N. Security Council

The United States distributed a revised U.N. resolution on Iraq to other veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council Oct. 21 and said it would accomplish U.S. goals of toughening weapons inspections and ensuring there will be "consequences" if Iraq fails to comply.

But France's U.N. ambassador, Jean-David Levitte, whose country has been pressing to give Iraq a last chance to cooperate with inspectors without a threat of military action, put a damper on the prospects for a quick agreement on a new resolution.

When asked if an agreement was close, Levitte said: "I don't think so."

U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte distributed the text at a meeting of the five permanent members - Russia, China, Britain, France and the United States - who have been divided on how tough a new resolution should be.

The United States and Britain want a single resolution that would allow the use of force if Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein did not comply with U.N. weapons inspectors. Recently, Washington backed down from its demand that the resolution authorize "all necessary means," but it is still demanding language stating that Baghdad would face "consequences."

France, backed by Russia and China, favors a two-stage approach that would give Iraq a chance to cooperate and only authorize force in a second resolution if Baghdad failed to comply.

Washington is continuing to demand that Iraq make a complete declaration within 30 days about its programs to develop nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The U.S. proposal would call on inspectors to report "any failure by Iraq to comply with its disarmament." The Security Council would then convene immediately to consider further action on the matter.

U.S. officials have said this commits the U.S. government to waiting for a report but not to waiting for a council decision before taking action.

Shukan ST: Nov. 1, 2002

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