North Korea’s neighbours reacted cautiously today as the region awoke to news that the isolated communist country was ready to accept a US proposal for six-nation talks aimed at ending a stand-off over its nuclear weapons programmes.

Russia and China want major changes to the Anglo-American UN resolution on rebuilding Iraq before it can win their support.

A senior Russian diplomat says the US and Britain must address the humanitarian consequences of the war in Iraq.

War on Iraq without a second UN resolution looks ever more likely today as time slipped away to secure the peaceful disarmament of Saddam Hussein.

A senior Russian diplomat today criticised Britain’s six-point proposal for disarming Iraq, saying it was “not constructive”.

A top Russian diplomat today reportedly said the UN resolution on Iraq proposed by Britain and the United States is “out of touch” and that there is no justification to bring it to a vote.

International missile experts found that an Iraqi missile exceeded the maximum 93-mile range allowed under United Nations resolutions, US and Russian officials have said.

THE United States and Britain yesterday condemned Baghdad’s attitude to UN arms inspectors, but the international community generally said the experts needed more time to complete their search for banned weapons in Iraq.

Russia’s deputy foreign minister today called on Baghdad to accept the UN resolution allowing arms inspectors to return, suggesting the Iraqi parliament’s rejection was the result of “emotions.”

President George Bush tonight scoffed at the Iraqi parliament’s recommendation that the latest United Nations arms-inspection resolution be rejected, calling it “nothing but a rubber stamp for Saddam Hussein.”

THE US took a final draft of its Iraq resolution to the UN Security Council yesterday hoping to win approval from wary allies concerned it could trigger a new war against Saddam Hussein.

PUSHING ahead on Iraq after weeks of diplomatic wrangling, the United States put its tough new proposal into the hands of the Security Council in preparation for a vote that could come as early as next week.

US PRESIDENT George W Bush yesterday signed Congress' war-making resolution and told wary world leaders to "face up to our global responsibilities" to confront Saddam Hussein.

US President George Bush today signed Congress’ war-making resolution and told wary world leaders to 'face up to our global responsibility' to confront Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

A senior Russian diplomat today categorically rejected the current draft resolution being suggested to the UN Security Council by Washington.

A senior Russian diplomat today categorically rejected the current draft resolution being suggested to the UN Security Council by Washington.

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council remain divided on Iraq, despite US President George Bush’s call for a quick resolution.