United Nations, Oct 08: The United States has ruled out any significant changes in its draft resolution on Iraq despite tough opposition in the Security Council, even as diplomats say it would now need to decide whether to risk a split vote or drop it. "If in the coming days we put forward a resolution with an idea of putting it to vote early, they (Council members) should not expect any significant or radical departure from the resolution they have before them," the US Ambassador John Negroponte told reporters here yesterday.

Hence the second thoughts on the resolution, diplomats say.

Washington was hoping for a quick vote on the resolution which would change the coalition-led force in Iraq into a multinational one, involve the UN with drafting constitution and holding elections but keep its control over both military and political process until after installation of new government after the elections. The whole process is likely to take a minimum of two years. France, Germany, Russia and Secretary General Kofi Annan are demanding major changes in the American draft which would give administrative control of the country to the US- appointed governing council within five months and allow the world body to play its role independently of American-led coalition.

Bureau Report