U.S. compromise on Iraq resolution

From Andrea Koppel and Ronni Berke
CNN

The Bush administration has been pushing for a single resolution

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Bush administration has offered compromise language for a proposed Iraq resolution in order to bridge differences among permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, a senior administration official tells CNN.

In addition to dropping a U.S. demand that Security Council members be allowed to send a representative to accompany weapons inspectors in Iraq, the United States also has finessed language regarding the consequences Iraq might face if it does not comply.

Western diplomats also told CNN that the United States is making a commitment to come back to the Security Council before any military action.

According to this arrangement, chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix would inform the Security Council of any non-cooperation by Iraq.

"The idea is Blix will make a report and then the council will reconvene immediately" in the event of Iraqi non-compliance, said one Western diplomat. According to that diplomat, the United States would hold off on any action until that step had been taken.

Instead of threatening "all necessary means" should Iraq refuse to cooperate, the Bush administration has proposed the words "serious consequences," a nuanced diplomatic approach the United States hopes will sound less belligerent yet still afford tacit U.N. approval for the use of military force, if necessary.

French support is key

U.S. officials believe the key to breaking the impasse at the United Nations is winning French support.

France has insisted on two separate resolutions. The first would demand Iraq dismantle its program of weapons of mass destruction and cooperate with U.N. weapons inspectors. Then, only if Iraq did not comply, a second resolution could threaten consequences.

The Bush administration has been pushing for a single comprehensive resolution.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Colin Powell met with the French defense minister. Prior to the meeting one Powell aide struck an optimistic note, saying a solution was within reach.

"Hopefully we'll be able to make progress with the French with either one or two resolutions," said this official.

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