Britain Fails to Gain Support for New Plan on Iraq

Chancellor Gerhard Schröder brought a message of assurance to 10 Downing Street on Wednesday evening: He and British Prime Minister Tony Blair remain good personal friends despite their differences over a possible U.S.-led war against Iraq. But that good friendship still was unable to bring the two leaders to a common position on the burning issue of Iraq. The chancellor refused to budge from his opposition to a British compromise resolution that could authorize an invasion.

A day after the meeting, Blair watched public opposition to his plan grow. On an early morning television show, an aide to Schröder spelled out the chancellor's objections. "The proposed resolution is basically an authorization for war," said the aide, Bernd Mützelburg. Since January, Schröder has said his country would vote against any such resolution in the U.N. Security Council

France, one of the five council members with veto power, also rejected the proposals. "It's not about giving a few more days to Iraq before resorting to force but about resolutely advancing through peaceful disarmament," French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin (photo) said of the proposal in a statement.

The rejection infuriated the British.

"What I find extraordinary (is) that without even proper consideration the French government have decided that they will reject these proposals, adding to the statement that, quotes, whatever the circumstances, France will vote no," British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said.

U.S. joins criticism

The United States also criticized France's rigid opposition. "Unfortunately, President (Jacques) Chirac has said that no matter what, they're going to veto the resolution," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said. "I suppose that factor needs to be taken into account by all those who are proceeding here.

"But, frankly, saying that he'll veto the resolution no matter what sends precisely the wrong signal to Baghdad, precisely the wrong signal for those who want peaceful disarmament."

Britain put together the plan in the face of veto threats by Russia and France on Monday at a draft resolution proposed by the United States, Britain and Spain. That draft would give Saddam a deadline of next Monday to disarm.

Blair, who needs a second resolution to shore up his eroding public support at home, responded to the declaration by putting together a six-point plan. The plan foresees an ultimatum that would give Saddam until March 27 to comply with "benchmarks." A British Foreign Office official, Mike O'Brien, said on Wednesday that these benchmarks would include:

• A television appearance by Saddam in which he renounces weapons of mass destruction.
• Iraqi permission for 30 key weapons scientists to travel to Cyprus where the could be interviewed by U.N. weapons inspectors.
• Destruction "forthwith" of 10,000 liters of anthrax and other chemical and biological weapons Iraq is allegedly holding.
• An official Iraqi explanation for an aerial drone recently discovered by U.N. weapons inspectors

'Serious consequences' threatened

The resolution would then implicitly threaten Iraq with "serious consequences" if it failed to comply.

A vote on the proposal had been planned for Friday. But diplomats said it was likely to be delayed again. In a reversal, the White House said Thursday that President Bush was open to a postponement of the vote until next week if that would help gain support for the measure. "It may conclude tomorrow. It may continue into next week," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said.

Some envoys said the battle could end with the United States, Britain and Spain abandoning the process rather than facing the humiliation of a defeat if the measure were put to a vote. Because of the veto threat, some U.S. and British officials said they would consider it a victory if the resolution achieved the minimum nine votes for passage.

U.S. officials insisted they were making progress in picking up votes on the council. Based on public statements and private interviews with senior diplomats, The Associated Press has determined that the U.S.-backed resolution 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.

The Security Council scheduled another meeting for Thursday afternoon to discuss the British proposal.