Security Council debate, diplomacy continues скачать в хорошем качестве

Security Council debate, diplomacy continues

(12 Mar 2003) STORY Britain set out a list of conditions for Iraq's disarmament Wednesday, hoping to break an impasse at the United Nations that has left Prime Minister Tony Blair vulnerable at home because of his support for a tough U.S. line. Winning a U.N. resolution that authorises war with Iraq is politically vital for Blair, who faces widespread public opposition and a revolt from his own Labour party if he joins the United States in military action without international backing. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld suggested Tuesday that Washington was considering war without Britain, its closest ally. Washington and London were working out the language of a new draft which Security Council ambassadors said they expected to receive later Wednesday. In a sign that Washington and London were making quick progress on the new offer, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan scheduled separate meetings Wednesday afternoon British Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock and chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix. The United States and Britain have been trying to win U.N. approval for an ultimatum giving Saddam Hussein several days to disarm or face war. But it has become clear that a March 17 deadline suggested last week still does not have enough support on the Security Council. France, Russia and China -- all with veto power -- oppose the U.S.-backed resolution, with Paris threatening to veto any measure that contains an ultimatum or the automatic use of force. Russian Ambassador Sergey Lavrov reiterated that Moscow believes inspections are working and should not be interrupted. Asked about the British benchmarks and an expected new deadline, he suggested the idea could be interesting. Britain took the lead Wednesday in trying to break the stalemate. Foreign Office Minister Mike O'Brien outlined six disarmament tasks -- or benchmarks -- that Baghdad would have to meet by a certain deadline. O'Brien said the conditions would be part of a new draft resolution. Six countries that hold the key to a U.S. victory in the council proposed a 45-day reprieve for Iraq. U.S. officials said they envisioned a far shorter deadline of seven to 10 days from the resolution's passage. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...