UN proposal good, says Russia

THE US and Britain last night faced an uphill struggle in obtaining their demands for “unobstructed and unfettered” access to Saddam Hussein’s weapons programme after Russia criticised the need for a new United Nations resolution.

Moscow said existing UN rules were sufficient and inspections should now be allowed to go ahead, under a deal brokered this week between an Iraqi delegation and UN chief arms inspector Hans Blix.

Russia, China and France who along with Britain and the US hold the power of veto as permanent members of the Security Council say they are not ready to authorise force before inspectors have time to test Iraq's willingness to comply.

France has offered a counter proposal giving Iraq a chance to co-operate but warns that "any serious failure by Iraq" would lead to an immediate Security Council meeting to "consider any measure to ensure full compliance". China supports the French proposal.

Russia described the US-UK draft as an unnecessary delay in the return of weapons inspectors.

Russian officials studied the American draft, which "only strengthened our belief in the correctness of our position in favour of the soonest resumption of inspection activities in Iraq", Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov said, according to the Interfax news agency.

"We believe that a sufficient legal base already exists for the resumption of the UN inspections," Mr Saltanov said.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer played down Russia's reaction. "It's not going to surprise anybody that from day-to-day you're seeing different statements from different leaders."

President Bush said on Thursday that the United Nations must stand with the United States to disarm Saddam Hussein or stand aside.

Congressional leaders predicted that Bush would get the authority he is seeking by next week. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, said the Senate remains divided over the wording of the resolution.

"But at the end of the day, we're going to be able to develop a broad bi-partisan consensus," he said.

"When it comes to defending our freedom, the United States of America will stand united and stand strong," Bush told Hispanic leaders in Washington.

"The choice is up to the United Nations to show its resolve. The choice is up to Saddam Hussein to fulfil his word," Bush said.

"And if neither of them acts, the United States in deliberate fashion will lead a coalition to take away the world's worst weapons from one of the world's worst leaders."