Russia stood by its demand yesterday that Washington seek explicit UN authorization for using force against Iraq if Baghdad failed to cooperate with weapons inspectors.
Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Russia and the four other UN Security Council permanent members had moved closer towards agreement on a new resolution aimed at disarming Iraq which Washington suspects of developing weapons of mass destruction.
But, he said, "serious differences" still had to be worked out -- principally over how punishment would be meted out to Saddam Hussein's Iraq if he obstructed the work of UN weapons inspectors due to go there. He said differences also remained over Iraqi demands relating to the scheduled weapons inspections.
"We have grown seriously closer over a full range of positions," Ivanov told reporters.
"Russia has repeatedly emphasized that we are categorically against any formulas which would give someone the right unilaterally to resort automatically to use of force," he said.
This was a clear reference to Washington's desire to have a freer hand to launch military action if Iraq fails to comply.
Russia, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council along with the US, Britain, China and France, is seeking to balance a burgeoning relationship with Washington against long-standing and potentially lucrative economic ties with Baghdad.
Ivanov's remarks, made at a ceremony to mark the 200th anniversary of Russia's foreign ministry, came amid reports at the United Nations that Security Council members were on the brink of agreement on the key resolution after weeks of haggling.
One Western diplomat said language was being exchanged among capitals of the key players as well as in New York on the resolution, which gives UN inspectors license to search anywhere for Iraq's suspected weapons of mass destruction and threatens "serious consequences" if Baghdad balks.
"Talks are very intense at the Security Council. I'm sure they will continue over the weekend and into next week," said a spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The head of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, told Reuters in Vienna that Security Council members could reach agreement on a new resolution as early as next week.
Iraq has denounced the proposed resolution as a "declaration of an imperialist war" that distorted facts and imposed impossible conditions.
It has agreed to allow arms inspectors to return after a four-year absence, and said it would give them unfettered access to suspected weapons sites. But the US has asked the inspectors to stay put while it seeks a tougher mandate.
Washington has agreed to put off any military strike until after chief UN arms inspector Hans Blix reports to the Security Council on any Iraqi violations.
But France, Russia and China are concerned at what they call "hidden triggers" in the resolution that would allow Washington to launch a military strike, oust Saddam from power and later claim UN authorization.
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