UN: A joint US-UK resolution that may set the stage for military intervention in Iraq is now expected to go to the United Nations Security Council on Thursday or Friday this week at the latest.
There had been widespread expectation that the draft text would be circulated to council members, including Ireland, last Friday, but it now appears that the US wants to iron out all potential difficulties with France before the final draft is unveiled.
The French delegation wanted to have a discussion of the draft among all the permanent five veto-wielding members of the council: China, France, Russia, the UK and US.
However, the US indicated it would prefer to continue bilateral discussions with France until agreement could be reached on the issue of whether or not a military attack on Iraq would be automatically "triggered" in the event of the Iraqi regime failing to comply with UN weapons inspection requirements.
There were what was described as French "hesitations" over language offered by the US on the question of an automatic response to Iraqi non-compliance.
"The French are pondering the latest American language," senior diplomatic sources said.
A further delaying factor may be the fact that the ultimate decision for France has to be made at government level.
President Jacques Chirac had been attending a conference in Beirut and did not have a chance to hold face-to-face consultations with his advisers in Paris.
Nevertheless, there was some expectation the permanent five members might get to grips with the matter in a meeting today. Hardliners in the US administration are said to be growing increasingly impatient with the continuing delay at the UN.
Ireland is one of the "elected 10" on the council - 10 governments chosen by the general membership to serve a two-year term. The 10 do not have veto powers but they do have the right to vote on any resolution.
Nine votes with no veto is required for a resolution to be successful.
The Irish delegation is reserving its position until the text of the resolution is circulated. The Government's general orientation was set out last Thursday by our Ambassador to the UN, Mr Richard Ryan, who said the resolution "should insist on unfettered access for the arms inspectors" and leave no doubt that Iraq must comply "without delay".
Ambassador Ryan added: "The resolution should make it clear that the council will take any necessary decision to enforce compliance if Iraq does not co-operate as required. Any such decision must be taken by the Security Council in full accordance with the (UN) charter."
Meanwhile, it is reported that more than 1,000 opponents of President Saddam Hussein are to be trained by the Pentagon to help in a possible invasion, under the terms of an order signed by President Bush.
Former members of the Iraqi military are among the group of men already vetted by the US Defence Department for training in combat skills. The Pentagon is also said to be looking at the names of further potential recruits, all recommended by the London-based Iraqi National Congress.
In another development, the US Central Command Chief General Tommy Franks arrived in Turkey yesterday for talks with Turkish military commanders expected to centre on a possible US attack on neighbouring Iraq.
A US embassy official said Mr Franks and Gen Joseph Ralston, Nato Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, would meet Turkish generals today.
"Iraq is one of several topics they will be discussing," the official said.
He also said Mr Franks was not expected to meet Turkey's civilian leaders, who have publicly opposed military action against Iraq. They say a war next door could spill across the border, stirring economic and social upheaval in the region.
- Additional reporting Reuters