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US Backs Down In UN Iraq Demands
10-17-2

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - France appeared favorably disposed to the new U.S. proposals for a draft U.N. resolution that drop any immediate authorization for a military strike and depend on reports from U.N. arms inspectors, diplomats said late on Thursday.

An agreement with France, which was leading the resistance to an early U.S. draft, would clear the way for approval by the 15-nation Security Council, possibly before the end of the month. "So far the U.S. changes are acceptable to France," said one diplomat, adding that negotiations between Paris and Washington were continuing.

Facing major opposition from nations around the world, the United States no longer includes in its text a reference to the use of force or a threat of consequences. A previous U.S. draft authorized any member state to use "all necessary measures" to force compliance on the slightest violation by Iraq.

Instead, it directs chief U.N. arms inspector Hans Blix "to report immediately to the council any failure by Iraq to comply with its disarmament obligations," according to excerpts obtained by Reuters. The council would then meet "to consider the situation and the need for full compliance with all of the relevant Security Council resolutions."

This could mean a second resolution. But if the council does not then authorize force, the United States could decide to strike Iraq anyway, and would probably get considerable support for a coalition, the envoys said.





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