The United States and Britain are making a last-ditch effort to overcome strong UN opposition to a US-drafted resolution on Iraq before dropping the measure entirely, diplomats said today.
Britain, co-sponsor of the measure along with Spain, is particularly keen to get a resolution that would be palpable to the 15 Security Council members and is considering amendments, the diplomats said.
But whether the Bush administration would agree to substantive changes is doubtful. US Ambassador Mr John Negroponte this week told reporters and Security Council members not to expect any radical amendments.
A State Department official said the United States was not optimistic that it could obtain an acceptable resolution, even with additional changes.
"The resolution looks pretty much dead," said the official.
The measure is aimed at broadening financial and military support as well as signaling that the occupation will eventually end, without giving a specific timetable.
Since the draft was first proposed in August - and slightly revised last month -- the mood in the Security Council changed dramatically after UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan turned down UN political participation unless Iraqi sovereignty was accelerated.