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France may go own way on Iraq
03/10/2002 08:25 - (SA)
New York - France has threatened to push its own security council resolution on Iraq if Washington introduces its proposals without any compromise, diplomats said on Wednesday.
But, the Bush administration has hesitated in introducing to the 15-member council its draft resolution, which allows a United Nations member, such as the United States, to determine if Iraq has violated UN demands and follow up with military action.
A key council diplomat said France wanted some of the "wilder" provisions taken out of the new US text before either America or Britain introduced it. Otherwise, France would circulate rival proposals.
France favours a two-stage approach, the first offering Iraq a chance to cooperate, but saying the council would consider "any measure" if Baghdad failed to comply with its obligations. The second resolution, would threaten force, if necessary.
The White House has ruled out two resolutions, but secretary of state Colin Powell has left the door open for this option.
Envoys said most of the text would be negotiated in New York, but the controversial provision for military action would be discussed among senior ministers in capitals.
The US held initial talks on Tuesday and has scheduled another round on Wednesday with the other four veto-bearing security council members - Russia, France, Britain and China.
Diplomats reported, however, the five came to no agreement, with only Britain supporting Washington.
Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov signaled a slight shift in Moscow's position, saying he would consider backing new UN resolutions if arms inspectors needed them.
Weapons inspector's report awaited
"If any extra resolutions are required for the effective work of the inspectors, we, of course, are ready to consider them," said Ivanov in Moscow on Wednesday.
By leaving open the possibility of Russian support for new UN resolutions, Ivanov appeared to be taking a step toward Washington's demands for a tougher stance toward Iraq.
But, he could also be agreeing with the French approach, said diplomats.
Another hurdle was expected on Thursday when chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix reported to the security council.
He had intended to send some advance teams to Iraq in about two weeks, but the United States is expected to tell him to hold off until some kind of resolution is adopted.
Under the proposed US document, Baghdad has seven days to accept all provisions in the resolution.
It then has 23 more days to give an accounting of its weapons of mass destruction and an extensive list of related materials and components.
Everything must be detailed
Only after the declaration can UN inspectors, out of Iraq for nearly four years, begin their work.
If Iraq fails to disclose anything, any United Nations member can use force against Baghdad.
The draft resolution requires Iraq to submit an "acceptable and currently accurate, full and complete" listing of Iraq's nuclear, chemical, ballistic and biological weapons, where they are located, their components, all research centres as well as materials used for civilian and military purposes.
It allows any of the five permanent members of the council, such as the United States, to add representatives to the inspection teams, recommend to the inspectors who they can interview, set conditions for the interviews and "receive a report on the results".
It says the inspectors can go anywhere, including President Saddam Hussein's eight presidential sites, without restrictions.
They can interview any scientist or government official in private, and even provide transport out of the country for them and their families, a provision some diplomats say is an invitation to defect.
The inspectors can have security guards to protect them at their base and declare no-flight or no-drive exclusion zones in areas in which they are operating.
- Reuters
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