Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=10/21/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / US RESOLUTION (L-O)

NUMBER=2-295519

BYLINE=Elaine Johanson

DATELINE=United Nations

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United States presented a new resolution on Iraq at the United Nations Monday in a meeting with the four other key members of the Security Council. V-O-A correspondent Elaine Johanson reports from U-N headquarters in New York:

TEXT: The new U-S draft resolution no longer would explicitly give Washington the automatic right to use force against Iraq should Saddam Hussein fail to comply with tougher guidelines for weapons inspections. It would, however, warn of serious consequences should the inspectors report problems, which diplomats here worry could provide legal cover for Washington should it decide to strike Iraq on its own.

Sources close to the French say reports of a deal on Iraq are exaggerated, or at least premature. The French, at this point, consider the U-S draft a basis for negotiations.

France wants guarantees from the United States that any breach of Iraq's obligations would be discussed in the Security Council before a decision is made on how to deal with it. Russia and China agree. Britain, considered a staunch U-S ally and in favor of military action, is said to be feeling pressure to at least consider the more cautious approach.

The United States, in presenting its new draft, is seen as responding to widely held international opinion that the Iraqi crisis should be resolved firmly but peacefully.

U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who is traveling in Asia at the moment, told reporters that he expects the Security Council will come up with a tough, new resolution within a week or so. He also says he anticipates that the council will send a strong, unified message to Baghdad to cooperate fully with efforts to rid the country of banned weapons of mass destruction.

Weapons inspectors have not been inside Iraq for nearly four years. Baghdad recently agreed to let them resume their work. But the United States has insisted they go back in with new instructions that would allow for unfettered access to all sites, including Saddam Hussein's presidential palaces. (signed)

NEB/UN/EJ/RH