U.S. circulates new working draft on Iraq, drops several demands for new inspection regime

The Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS - Abruptly stepping up pressure for quick U.N. action, the United States distributed its tough new draft resolution on Iraq to the entire Security Council for the first time yesterday, but Russia immediately rejected it and said France and China were also opposed.

The U.S. decision to move a lengthy debate among the five veto-wielding members to the 15-member council came as White House spokesman Ari Fleischer made clear the United States wants to wrap up negotiations saying talks have reached their "final moments" and a vote could go either way.

A senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Wednesday's full council meeting was part of a new U.S. strategy to persuade the reluctant permanent members by actively taking the U.S. case to a wider audience.

For a resolution to pass, it needs nine "yes" votes in the Security Council and no veto by a permanent member — the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France.

The 10 elected council members got their first look yesterday afternoon at the new U.S. draft at a closed council meeting.

Washington, backed by London, is pushing a single resolution that would allow force to be used against Iraq if it doesn't meet its U.N. disarmament obligations.

But Paris, Moscow and Beijing still want a two-stage approach giving Iraq another chance to comply with U.N. weapons inspectors and only authorizing force in a second resolution if Baghdad obstructed inspections.