Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=11/09/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-296241

TITLE=RUSSIA / U-N / IRAQ (L)

BYLINE=REBECCA SANTANA

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The presidents of France and Russia spoke by telephone Friday, and a French official says they agreed the latest resolution on Iraq, coming up for a vote in the Security Council, is satisfactory. But in Moscow, an official says Russia still has concerns. V-O-A's Rebecca Santana reports from Moscow.

TEXT: As members of the Security Council prepare to vote on the latest draft resolution on Iraq, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov said Russia still has concerns.

His comments were published by the Russian news service, Interfax. Mr. Fedotov said Russia would hold consultations on the draft before the voting. He did not describe what Russia's concerns are.

The deputy foreign minister did say the current draft is an improvement over previous drafts. Mr. Fedotov said the main improvement is that the automatic use of force against Iraq was scrapped.

Also on Friday, a spokesman for French President Jacques Chirac said the French president and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed in a telephone conversation that the resolution is satisfactory.

There had been concerns that Russia or France might veto the resolution, if their concerns about the potential use of force were not eased in the final draft. The warns of serious consequences, but does not specify what those might be.

The United States reserves the right to use force against Iraq if it does not comply with U-N demands. But in the most recent draft resolution, the U-S agrees to consult with the Security Council in the event of a breach, something France had been pushing for.

Once the Security Council approves the draft resolution, Iraq would have seven days to accept its terms. (signed)

NEB/RS/AWP/TW