Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=2/24/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=UN / IRAQ RESOLUTION (L)

NUMBER=2-299987

BYLINE=JENNY BADNER

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

VOICED AT:

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INTRO: The United States, Britain and Spain today (Monday) submitted a resolution to the U-N Security Council declaring that Iraq has failed to disarm. Correspondent Jenny Badner reports from the United Nations France, Russia and Germany have countered with a plan for more inspections.

TEXT: The document, formally introduced by Britain, would declare Iraq in material breach of past resolutions. It says Baghdad has failed to take advantage of a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations.

In his written remarks to the Council, Britain's Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock said that 15-weeks after U-N resolution 14-41 returned weapons inspectors to Iraq, quote "we are no further advanced towards that objective of complete disarmament."

Resolution 14-41 declared Iraq's failure to comply would have serious consequences for Baghdad.

In his statement, Mr. Greenstock said "there is still an opportunity to avert conflict" and called on the Security Council to remain unified as it confronts Baghdad in what he called "these final weeks."

The 15-member Security Council is sharply divided on how to rid Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction, with a majority of its members opposed to the use of military force.

France, Russia and Germany have submitted their own plan calling for continued weapons inspections. Their plan would continue the peaceful route to Iraq's disarmament for several more months.

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No vote is expected in the Council before March 1st, when chief U-N inspectors Hans Blix and Mohammed El Baradei of the International Atomic Energy Agency are scheduled to present their latest findings.

To pass, a Security Council resolution needs at least nine-votes. It can be vetoed by any one of the five permanent members, including, besides the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia. Of the 10 non-permanent members, only Spain and Bulgaria have said they back the U-S position.

Separately, U-N chief weapons inspector Hans Blix has given Iraq until Saturday to begin dismantling its al-Samoud missiles, which were found to violate the 150 kilometer range limit imposed by the United Nations.

Mr. Blix spoke to reporters after meeting with advisors of UNMOVIC, the U-N monitoring and verification and inspection commission that is searching for Iraqi biological and chemical weapons.

/ / / BLIX ACT / / /

We would expect them to accept what we have said and to destroy the missiles as we have stated.

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Iraq has not said if it will destroy the missiles. (SIGNED)

NEB/JB/MR/FC