15 October 2003 13:21
Ivanov urges U.S. to change UN Iraq resolution
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov on Wednesday, urged the United States to make changes in a draft Iraq resolution headed for the U.N. Security Council, but appeared to rule out any Russian veto.
The U.S. has called a vote for Wednesday on a resolution aimed at getting U.N. approval of its occupation and reconstruction of Iraq, after rejecting proposals by key countries including Russia to add a timetable for self-rule.
"Russia, France and Germany have presented their proposed amendments. We hope the authors of the new draft resolution will also include these proposed amendments," Ivanov told a news conference, speaking through a translator. Asked if Moscow would veto the resolution if changes were not made, he said, "I do not believe that this is now a matter of a veto by any side."
Ivanov was speaking in Vienna after meeting Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner. On Tuesday, France, Russia and Germany, which opposed the war in Iraq, submitted six amendments. But they dropped previous crucial demands that the United Nations play a central role in Iraq's reconstruction and that a provisional Iraqi government take office within five months.
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