- News>
- World
Annan appeals to UN to find consensus on Iraq
United Nations, Mar 05: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has appealed to the sharply divided Security Council to find a consensus over Iraq as the US indicated it might not seek a vote on the second resolution and diplomats expressed anxiety over the effect of such an action on the working of the world body.
United Nations, Mar 05: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has appealed to the sharply divided Security Council to find a consensus over Iraq as the US indicated it might not
seek a vote on the second resolution and diplomats expressed anxiety over the effect of such an action on the working of the world body.
Diplomats say rather than trying to reach a consensus, major powers continue to harden their positions and the hard-hitting political speeches are making finding a common ground harder and harder.
The US, with around 300,000 troops and five aircraft carrier in the region and one carrier on the way to Gulf, appears poised to attack Iraq barring some dramatic development like abdication of President Saddam Hussein which seems unlikely at present.
Several foreign ministers are expected at the briefing to the Security Council by chief weapons inspector Hans Blix and Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed Elbardei Friday which, diplomats say, could be the last before the American military action.
Germany, France, Spain and Syria have confirmed that their foreign ministers will participate in the meeting. Annan told the members to consider the implication of any unilateral action on the mandate to inspectors and the humanitarian work.
He is optimistic that common ground can be found but the optimism is not shared by several other members who say the divide between the US, Britain and Spain on one hand and France, Russia and Germany is so wide that finding a middle ground is becoming impossible.
The non permanent members, who are on the fence and being vigorously wooed by both sides, too hope that the vote would not be held as that would put them on the spot and their supporting the resolution might not go down well with the domestic audiences. Though it yet unclear what Blix would say in the light of Iraq starting to destroy its Al Samoud 2 missiles as demanded by him, diplomats noted that Washington has already started downgrading his views.
Bureau Report
Several foreign ministers are expected at the briefing to the Security Council by chief weapons inspector Hans Blix and Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed Elbardei Friday which, diplomats say, could be the last before the American military action.
Germany, France, Spain and Syria have confirmed that their foreign ministers will participate in the meeting. Annan told the members to consider the implication of any unilateral action on the mandate to inspectors and the humanitarian work.
He is optimistic that common ground can be found but the optimism is not shared by several other members who say the divide between the US, Britain and Spain on one hand and France, Russia and Germany is so wide that finding a middle ground is becoming impossible.
The non permanent members, who are on the fence and being vigorously wooed by both sides, too hope that the vote would not be held as that would put them on the spot and their supporting the resolution might not go down well with the domestic audiences. Though it yet unclear what Blix would say in the light of Iraq starting to destroy its Al Samoud 2 missiles as demanded by him, diplomats noted that Washington has already started downgrading his views.
Bureau Report