U.S. and Britain propose "compromise" version of UN Security Council resolution on Iraq

The unofficial version of the "compromise" British-American draft UN Security Council resolution on Iraq has been handed over to the representatives of Russia, France and China for their notification and subsequent coordination of view on this issue.

U.S. Administration spokesmen described the draft as "the last compromise" in the work on the Iraq resolution.

Noting the unofficial character of the document and the need for it to be coordinated in the capitals of the countries concerned, diplomats refrain from official comments on the essence of the amendments made in the draft resolution.

The main among the amendments envisages that any actions in regard to Baghdad can be effected only after Hans Blix, chief of the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), reports to the Security Council on whether Iraq met its commitments to cooperate with the international inspectors of the UNMOVIC and IAEA.

If Blix reports that the Iraqi authorities obstruct the inspectors' work, the UN Security Council, according to the draft resolution, will have to take a decision to take urgent actions in regard to Baghdad.

Intensive informal consultations of the UN Security Council members continue every day, but a consensus among the five permanent Security Council members and a voting on the Iraq resolution is not expected before the end of next week.