United Nations: With France and Russia threatening veto and six undecided members of
the UN Security Council still finalising their strategy on Iraq, a vote on the
resolution setting March 17 deadline for Saddam Hussein to disarm or face war has
been delayed to later this week.
The US had hoped to present the resolution to the Council on March 11, but it became
clear on March 10 night that the US and its allies had not yet won the nine votes
needed to pass the resolution.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said a vote on the resolution would not come on
March 11 as the consultations were going on. A vote can come anytime later in the
week, he said.
During the closed door meeting on March 10 night, diplomats said British Ambassador
Jeremy Greenstock suggested giving Iraq 10 days to make "strategic decision" to
disarm, then some time to inspectors to verify the benchmarks set for it fulfil
before finally taking military action.
The Council is to hold an open debate on Iraqi crisis on March 12. But some Council
members say it would not achieve anything as only known positions would be
reiterated.
Despite their high-pressure campaign on telephone to seek support of undecided
members for the resolution Washington moved along with Britain and Spain, President
George Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell have so far failed to get nine votes
needed for the resolution to be adopted by 15-member Council.
As US and UK met stiff opposition, they signalled their willingness to push back the
deadline and set some benchmarks for Iraq to fulfil. But diplomats said they do not
plan to push back deadline by weeks, but only by days.
PTI
