United Nations: The United States has rejected the main demand of France, Russia and Germany that its new draft resolution on Iraq give more specific timetable for transfer of power to Iraqis and a role to the Secretary-general Kofi Annan in developing it.

Washington also rejected the demand for setting a date for calling constitutional conference.

The rejection came on October 14 night after a day-long drama during which the three dropped their major demand that the US-led coalition handover the sovereignty, administrative authority, to a provisional government within five months and then allow the UN Secretary-general to assist it in drawing up a constitution and organise elections.

They had submitted a package of six amendments, saying this was minimum that Washington should accept for winning their support. Americans accepted some minor amendments but rejected the major changes they had demanded.

Diplomats said that the Council members sent the revised draft incorporating minor amendments to their capitals for instructions as the United States told them that it could call for vote as early as today evening.

French, Russian and German diplomats were visibly disappointed but it was unclear whether they would abstain or vote for the draft in its current form.

Diplomats said the United States has nine votes needed for the adoption of the resolution by the 15- member Council even without France, Russia and China and they do not expect anyone of them to veto it.

PTI