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.