- News>
- World
UN council polarized on Iraq, Annan wants compromise
United Nations, Mar 05: Despite US confidence it would get enough votes for a UN resolution authorizing war with Iraq, positions have hardened with UN secretary-general Kofi Annan pleading for a compromise.
United Nations, Mar 05: Despite US confidence it would get enough votes for a UN resolution authorizing war with Iraq, positions have hardened with UN secretary-general Kofi Annan pleading for a compromise.
''I am increasingly optimistic that if it comes to a vote, we will be able to make a case that will persuade most of the members of the Security Council to vote for the resolution,'' US secretary of state Colin Powell yesterday told a French TV channel in an interview.
While the United States is given a good chance to get the minimum nine votes needed for adoption in the 15-member council, diplomats believe that point has not been reached. There is also a strong chance France and Russia would use their veto power to kill the measure.
''They haven't done enough horse trading yet to get everyone on board,'' said Nancy Soderberg, a former senior official at the US mission to the United Nations.
No date for a vote is set but US and British officials have said they want to push for one next week.
Russian foreign minsters Igor Ivanov, at a news conference in London yesterday, said flatly that Moscow would not abstain on the resolution and warned it could use its veto power.
''The Iraq question is precisely that sort of question when permanent members of the Security Council should not abstain,'' Ivanov said.
In New York, Moscow's UN ambassador, Sergei Lavrov, told a news conference he thought there was still a chance to avoid war, adding: “I do not think the council is going to approve the use of force.''
France and Germany, fighting to head off the resolution, told Security Council members their foreign ministers, Dominique de Villepin and Joschka Fischer, would attend a crucial council session on Friday when UN weapons inspectors are due to deliver their latest report on Iraqi disarmament. Syrian foreign minister Farouq al-Shara will also attend.
Sources in London said British foreign minister Jack Straw planned to come to New York but British officials at the United Nations said later no decision had been made. Spain also is still undecided as is secretary of state Colin Powell.
Bureau Report
No date for a vote is set but US and British officials have said they want to push for one next week.
Russian foreign minsters Igor Ivanov, at a news conference in London yesterday, said flatly that Moscow would not abstain on the resolution and warned it could use its veto power.
''The Iraq question is precisely that sort of question when permanent members of the Security Council should not abstain,'' Ivanov said.
In New York, Moscow's UN ambassador, Sergei Lavrov, told a news conference he thought there was still a chance to avoid war, adding: “I do not think the council is going to approve the use of force.''
France and Germany, fighting to head off the resolution, told Security Council members their foreign ministers, Dominique de Villepin and Joschka Fischer, would attend a crucial council session on Friday when UN weapons inspectors are due to deliver their latest report on Iraqi disarmament. Syrian foreign minister Farouq al-Shara will also attend.
Sources in London said British foreign minister Jack Straw planned to come to New York but British officials at the United Nations said later no decision had been made. Spain also is still undecided as is secretary of state Colin Powell.
Bureau Report