Concessions offered on Iraq resolution
The United States administration has offered the United Nations Security Council further concessions in its bid to end trade and economic sanctions against Iraq.
After it became apparent that the UN would staunchly oppose the coalition’s initial draft resolution, the British and American government’s have redrafted the document to include a greater role for the UN in the political rebuilding of Iraq.
However, the new draft still places the US and Britain in control of Iraqi oil and the overall administration of the country until an Iraqi government is in place.
The revised final draft proposes phasing out the UN oil-for-food programme over six months rather than four and hints at the possible return to Iraq of UN weapons inspectors.
The Security Council is due to discuss the draft resolution this afternoon and could take a final vote on it as soon as tomorrow.
France, Russia, Germany and China all voiced their opposition to the conflict in Iraq and were further angered by the allies first draft resolution, which effectively sidelined the UN entirely.
The US has indicated that this latest submission is the furthest it is prepared to go to placate the other UN members.
The draft responds to concerns from France and Spain about the possibility of oil spills that could affect their coastlines by allowing lawsuits to be brought against the interim Iraqi administration for any environmental disasters.
Russia is keen to see a greater role for the UN in Iraq in order to ensure that contracts it held with the previous Iraqi government are still honoured.
UN sanctions were imposed on Iraq 13 years ago at the end of the 1990 Gulf War.
British Ambassador to the UN, Sir Jeremy Greenstock commented today, ‘I hope that other members of the Council will find that this is a significantly improved draft which reflects many of their concerns.’
