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[pete]

The UN Security Council vote on the Iraq Resolution tomorrow.

Deadlines for Iraq and the weapons inspectors under the resolution:
7 days: Iraq must confirm whether it will "comply fully" with the resolution

30 days: Iraq must reveal all programmes, plants and materials which could be used for weapons production

45 days: Inspectors must be allowed to resume their checks

105 days: Inspectors have 60 days from their arrival to report back to the Security Council but may report violations earlier

105 days from tomorrow is February 21st.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2418253.stm

http://www.un.int/ireland/ie_sc.htm

 

[pete]

]U.S., France agree on U.N. resolution on Iraq

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) --The United States and France have agreed on the final language for a U.N. resolution on Iraq, a diplomatic source involved in the negotiations told CNN.

The agreement paves the way for a vote in the Security Council on Friday, the source said.

The details of the final wording were not immediately available but appeared to address concerns by France, Russia and China about a "hidden trigger" that would allow the United States to use force against Iraq if Baghdad tries to thwart inspectors seeking evidence of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.

Security Council ambassadors are expected to return to consultations later Thursday and receive a new text from the United States containing slight revisions, the source added.

Washington is hoping for a unanimous vote of support in the 15-member council, but it is unclear whether Russia, China and Syria will abstain or vote in favor.

The U.S.-British draft presented to the council Wednesday called for an immediate Security Council meeting if Iraq refused to comply with weapons inspectors. It warned Iraq of "serious consequences" for any continued violations.

President Bush spoke by telephone Thursday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the White House said "both agreed on the need to reach a strong resolution" dealing with Iraq. The White House gave no indication whether Putin agreed to support the proposal before the council.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman Sean McCormack said the United States wants the Security Council to vote Friday on the resolution. He also said "we are listening" to concerns raised by other members and left the door open to delaying the vote if the White House believed further negotiations could be productive.

"Tomorrow would be an ideal day for a vote," said Sir Jeremy Greenstock, British ambassador to the United Nations.

Meanwhile, CNN's Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf reported on indications that Iraq might be willing to accept the draft resolution.

An article Thursday in al-Thawra ("Revolution"), the newspaper of the ruling Baath party, said "it is not in Iraq's interest to ignore or contravene Security Council resolutions, as others do."

In exchange, it said, the Security Council should recognize Iraq's rights.

Observers say the comments in al-Thawra indicate that, despite its objections, the Iraqi government recognizes the draft as its last opportunity to avert war and will likely accept it.

In the past, Iraq has said no new Security Council resolution is needed.

Nevertheless, Arraf reported that there was widespread belief among Iraqi leaders and people on the street that war is inevitable; that the U.S. goal is not to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, but to topple its leader and seize its oil.

The draft resolution reinforces the idea that the United States will return to the Security Council before taking any military action. Although it did not call for a second resolution, it said any failure by Iraq to cooperate "will be reported to the Council [by weapons inspectors] for assessment."

However, the Bush administration continues to say that, though it would consult with the Security Council, it is not required to get U.N. approval for any military action.

The draft resolution "does not handcuff the president" in any way, said a senior administration official, who did not want to be identified.

The draft calls on Baghdad to produce records dealing with its weapons programs since inspectors were last there, in 1998, and to allow free and unrestricted movement of new inspectors.

Those inspectors would also have the right to "immediate, unimpeded, unconditional and unrestricted access" to Iraq's so-called presidential sites, compounds that cover several square miles. A previous agreement between Iraq and the United Nations requires inspectors to provide notice before inspections and to work under diplomatic escort.