Britain and U.S. prepare new resolution

UNITED NATIONS -- U.S. and British diplomats began considering options for a new U.N. resolution Friday, including one that would give Saddam Hussein a brief window to relinquish power to avoid a war, diplomats told The Associated Press.

One idea being floated would threaten war unless Saddam removes himself from power or is removed by his own people by a certain deadline, possibly 48 hours, according to Security Council diplomats speaking on condition of anonymity.

It's unlikely that this option would win enough support but it might be presented as a tough starting position that the United States and Britain could later soften.

Other options included a resolution that would note negative findings from the weapons inspectors; reiterate that Iraq was in violation of its obligations; and remind Saddam that he faces "serious consequences." That option, while not explicitly authorizing force, could garner wide support because all 15 council members would be eager to back the inspectors and keep the pressure on Iraq to comply.

But a British diplomat said the resolution, which would be ready by the time inspectors deliver their next assessments on Feb. 14, will need to authorize force in some way. "That's our red line," the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Council diplomats said another possibility is that countries opposing a rush to war might introduce a resolution supporting the continuation of inspections for six months.

With talk of a new resolution taking center stage after President Bush said he would welcome the idea, France, Germany, Russia and others launched a diplomatic counteroffensive Friday to stave off a military confrontation in Iraq and prolong weapons inspections as a means of containing the crisis.

Their success may depend on what concessions the chief U.N. arms inspectors can wrangle out of the Iraqi leadership in Baghdad this weekend.

The opposing strategies set off a race in the council for the necessary nine votes that would be needed to pass a resolution.

If the United States could stop Russia, France and China from using their vetoes, it might get the support it needs.

Spain, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Angola and Chile seemed to be moving into the U.S.-British camp, leaving key swing votes in the hands of Cameroon, Guinea and Mexico -- three states that have said inspections should continue. Syria, Iraq's neighbor and the only Arab state on the council, is expected to vote against such a resolution. Germany, which has said it would not take part in any war, is expected to abstain or vote against authorizing force.

France, which has been the most vocal proponent for continued inspections, was lobbying at the United Nations, NATO, and in capitals for additional support for the inspectors. Weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei said their meetings with Iraqi officials Saturday and Sunday will be critical in determining whether Baghdad is willing to increase its cooperation dramatically.

In telephone calls Friday to Bush, the leaders of France and China said they wanted to give inspectors more time to oversee a peaceful disarmament of Iraq.

French President Jacques Chirac also issued a stern warning to Baghdad to comply with U.N. inspectors, but said he still disagreed with Bush's declaration Thursday that time has run out for Saddam. "An alternative to war still exists. The decision to resort to war cannot be made lightly," Chirac said.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin reiterated as much to Bush, stressing the need for continued inspections, the Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said his country saw no reason to go to war with Iraq now.

"We do not see today any grounds for passing a U.N. resolution that would envisage or sanction the use of force against Iraq," he said.

A senior Russian diplomat said Moscow wouldn't even be willing to discuss such a resolution unless there was irrefutable evidence that Iraq still has weapons of mass destruction.

The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Secretary of State Colin Powell's presentation to the council earlier this week, didn't meet those standards.