Russia still unhappy over UN Iraq draft

Russia is pleased at changes in an amended US-British UN Security Council resolution on the future of Iraq, but still harbours…

Russia is pleased at changes in an amended US-British UN Security Council resolution on the future of Iraq, but still harbours reservations about the text, a top diplomat says.

"Intensive diplomatic consultations, including on Saturday and Sunday, have led to further positive changes in the Anglo-American draft resolution," Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov told Interfax news agency.

"Nevertheless, there are still some issues to be agreed further."

Fedotov made no mention of what Russia's remaining objections were.

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But he noted that letters submitted alongside the text by US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi provided for consultations on any military operations to be conducted by US-led forces.

"We also note that the amended text reflects many of those concerns which we expressed during the work on this text," he was quoted as saying.

The United States has said the revised draft, the fourth in two weeks, will be introduced today.

France has expressed concern that the resolution does not contain explicit arrangements for security once power is handed to an Iraqi administration after June 30.