Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=9/4/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CQ U-N / IRAQ (L-O)

NUMBER=2-307168

BYLINE=JENNY BADNER

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

///EDS: REISSUED TO CORRECT SPELLING OF SCHROEDER'S FIRST NAME IN SECOND FROM LAST GRAF OF TEXT. AUDIO IS BEING REVOICED.///

INTRO: The U-N Security Council is set to hold an informal meeting (Friday) on a new U-S draft resolution to attract nations to contribute troops and provide financial support for Iraq. Correspondent Jenny Badner reports from the United Nations.

TEXT: The measure aims to encourage other nations to send troops by creating a U-N authorized and U-S-led multi-national force in Iraq.

Negotiations on the draft resolution are at the preliminary stage.

U-S officials are holding talks with individual council members. On Friday, this month's president of the council, Britain, is expected to host the first informal closed-door session on the text with all 15 Security Council members.

Nations that opposed the Iraq War, including France and Germany, have already raised objections to the draft resolution. The leaders of Germany and France say the draft resolution seems far from what they consider the main objective -- the transfer of political power to an Iraqi government.

But British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry says the deadly bomb attack at the U-N's Baghdad headquarters has created a desire to reach a consensus in the council, which was bitterly divided over the Iraq war.

/ / / PARRY ACT / / /

My perception is that there is a rather good atmosphere, that colleagues are determined that the United Nations should play its proper part, a vital part in what is happening in Iraq, but especially the events of August underline why the international community has to succeed in Iraq, why we owe it to the Iraqi people, and the colleagues are prepared to come together in what I perceive as a real healing process to actually get that job done.

/ / / END ACT / / /

Mr. Parry described the draft resolution as a "good text." He said the informal meeting will allow diplomats to give the United States feedback on the resolution.

But, speaking in Germany, French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder indicated the diplomats are far from an agreement.

The resolution calls for the Security Council to endorse the 25-member Iraqi Governing Council while encouraging the international community to contribute to Iraq's economic recovery. (SIGNED)

NEB/NYC/JB/RH/FC