United Nations: Firmly opposing any unilateral action by United States in Iraq, India on October 18 said such a move would have "unforeseen and destructive geo- political implications" beyond the region.

Participating in a debate on Iraq in the United Nations, India's Ambassador V K Nambiar on October 17 said that the international community's desire for Baghdad's compliance with UN resolution on weapons inspection in Iraq does not justify any such unilateral action.

Undermining Iraq's territorial integrity could have "unforeseen and destructive geo- political implications which extend beyond the region", Nambiar said adding that it is important to explore all possible alternatives that can help avoid recourse to military action.

But he said India would support if the Council decides to lay down fresh guidelines for weapon inspectors, while referring to modifications being made in a proposed US draft resolution to win the support of Russia and France.

While deciding the new mandate, the Council must ensure that it is commensurate to objectives, that is disarmament of Iraq, he said on October 17 during the open debate on Iraq.

Strongly opposing presence of council members in inspections, extra-territorial interviews of Iraqi nationals or the use of UN guards, Nambiar said, "We believe that the conditions attached to any new resolutions or modalities of their implementation should not be such as to a make them unworkable or effectively to invite their rejection."

PTI