US puts tough new plan on Iraq to UN

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.

Russia appeared to be the main obstacle yesterday, rejecting the draft chiefly due to language that could trigger military action against Iraq. But France, which has similar objections and was a vocal opponent of earlier US offerings, was ready to negotiate and wouldn't block the resolution's passage, French diplomats said.

The US proposal, drafted with British support, gives UN inspectors broad new powers to search and destroy banned weapons and warns Iraq of "serious consequences" if it obstructs their work.