Signalling progress, the United States and France havemoved closer to agreement on a U.N. resolution, with Washington conceding the needto consult the world body before any attack against Iraq.
France, which has organised the main resistance to a tough U.S.-British draftresolution, still wants the U.N. Security Council to vote before any possible militarystrike. But diplomats said Paris was seriously considering U.S. compromise languageand discussing it with other members.
"It's been brewing for five weeks and it's still bubbling away. No crunch today," saidBritain's U.N. ambassador Sir Jeremy Greenstock shortly before the 15 SecurityCouncil members began a round of consultations on the resolution on Wednesday.
U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte may try to call for a vote this week but mostexpect no action until next week.
As long as France hesitates, it is uncertain whether Washington has the ninenecessary votes and no veto that a resolution needs for adoption in the 15-nationcouncil.
Russia, which has veto power along with the United States, Britain, France andChina, is also is not on board yet. Western diplomats believe the Bush administration isnot eager for a vote until after Tuesday's U.S. congressional elections should there bea risk of failure, such as a veto from Moscow.
The other 10 elected council members, who rotate for two year terms are: Bulgaria,Cameroon, Colombia, Guinea, Ireland, Mauritius, Mexico, Norway, Singapore andSyria.
The U.S.-drafted resolution, co-sponsored by Britain, warns Baghdad of "seriousconsequences" and broadens the rights of U.N. inspectors in a search for chemical,biological, nuclear or ballistic weapons programmes in Iraq.