The 15 UN Security Council members are today preparing to debate US proposals for Iraqi disarmament for the first time since Washington introduced its draft resolution.
Russia and France have strong reservations about the US draft because of language they fear could trigger military action before UN inspectors report on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.
In Moscow yesterday, Russia's deputy foreign minister, Mr Yuri Fedotov, said the US draft was full of "unrealistic and unfulfillable demands" and warned against a quick vote.
But French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin was less critical, saying progress had been made but "we still need some clarification".
The proposed US resolution, co-sponsored by Britain and presented to the full council on Wednesday, declares Iraq in "material breach" of UN resolutions.
It warns Iraq of "serious consequences" if it thwarts UN weapons inspections - language Russia and France fear the United States can interpret as sufficient for military action.
The council is expected to spend most of today going through the text paragraph by paragraph. On Monday, chief UN weapons inspector Mr Hans Blix and Mr Mohammed Elbaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, will give their views.
Iraq last month allowed the arms inspectors to return unconditionally. They had left Iraq in December 1998 on the eve of a US-British bombing raid.