Washington claims progress in support for Iraq resolution

UNITED NATIONS -- The United States claimed progress Wednesday in its campaign for support for a March 17 ultimatum threatening war against Iraq but refused to rule out delaying or abandoning the Security Council vote if necessary.

Britain, a key ally, proposed a "to-do" list for Saddam Hussein -- six steps to avert war -- in hopes of gaining votes for the resolution, which faces the threat of French and Russian vetoes. The British were expecting the United States and Spain to co-sponsor the proposal, but they didn't.

So Britain was left alone to present the plan to the Security Council. British diplomats are desperate to get U.N. approval for military action to avert a political uproar that threatens the career of Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Council diplomats said Washington had some problems with the so-called benchmarks. A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States is "supportive" of the British effort, without actually signing on to it.

The bitterly divided council discussed the British proposal for 3 1/2 hours Wednesday evening without reaching any consensus, and agreed to meet again this afternoon.

President Bush spoke with Blair and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar late Wednesday to discuss strategy.

Based on public statements and private interviews with senior diplomats, AP has determined that the resolution currently has the support of seven countries: Britain, the United States, Spain, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Pakistan and Mexico. Angola and Guinea were still uncommitted Wednesday. Chile, Germany and China are expected to abstain. Russia could also abstain or vote against the draft along with Syria and France.

Asked if the United States would consider pulling the resolution or delaying the vote -- an option raised earlier Wednesday by co-sponsor Spain -- the administration official would not rule it out.

The White House official made clear that a vote, if held, would be on the U.S.-British-Spanish resolution introduced last week which sets a March 17 ultimatum for Saddam to prove he has disarmed or face military action. The British proposals are in a side letter that is being kept separate, the official said.

It was not clear when a vote would be held, though the Americans still insisted that it come this week, possibly Friday.

For the first time, the Bush administration suggested a "no" vote could hurt relations with the world's only super power.

But France and Russia showed no signs of backing down from their veto threats, and key undecided nations gave no indication of support for the British proposal.

"I wouldn't deny we are making progress, but I wouldn't lead you to believe we've got it in the bag," spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters at the State Department.

Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell worked the phones throughout the day, calling foreign capitals in search of backing. Bush spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a day when Alexander Vershbow, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, told the Izvestia daily "there will be damage" to U.S.-Russia relations if Moscow vetoes the resolution.

In Washington, talk of adverse consequences to a "no" vote was more vague. "The president has said in many of the phone calls to the nations that are not with us he will be disappointed," Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer said.

Coming up with list

In the Security Council, the British took the lead in trying to come up with a compromise because Blair faces a revolt from his own Labor party and even stronger public opposition if he joins the United States in military action without international backing.

In the latest draft of the list, the conditions are:

A television appearance by Saddam renouncing weapons of mass destruction.

Iraq's permission for at least 30 key weapons scientists to travel to Cyprus to be interviewed by U.N. weapons inspectors.

The destruction of all remaining anthrax and weapons to disperse it, "or credible evidence provided to account for their whereabouts."

Completion of the destruction of all Al-Samoud 2 missiles and their components.

An accounting for unmanned aerial vehicles.

Hand over and account for all mobile chemical and biological production facilities.

Based on public statements and private interviews with senior diplomats, AP has determined that the resolution currently has the support of seven countries: Britain, the United States, Spain, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Pakistan and Mexico. Angola and Guinea were still uncommitted Wednesday. Chile, Germany and China are expected to abstain. Russia could also abstain or vote against the draft along with Syria and France.

------

Associated Press correspondent Jennifer Loven contributed to this report from Washington.