The draft of the new resolution on Iraq proposed by the US and the UK includes provisions for "no-drive" zones and transit corridors to be used by UN weapons inspectors, according to diplomatic sources at the UN, writes Conor O'Clery, in Washington
US and British diplomats briefed the 10 elected Security Council members on the proposed resolution for the first time yesterday.
The resolution calls for unrestricted access for weapon's inspectors to all sites in Iraq including presidential palaces, and authorises the use of force if there is any Iraqi interference.
It further declares that Iraq is in violation of UN resolutions, and puts the onus on Baghdad to comply within seven days with these resolutions, and also within seven days to declare all programmes of weapons of mass destruction, with a further 23 days to open up the sites concerned and provide all documentation to support the declaration.
The US and UK already enforce no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq. The no-drive zones and transit corridors would in effect shut down all Iraqi military traffic in large swathes of Iraqi territory that the inspectors wished to visit.
Iraq has rejected any new resolution, saying that earlier resolutions are sufficient for new inspections.
To pass in the Security Council, the new resolution must avoid a veto from any of the five permanent members, Britain, France, the US, Russia and China, and win a majority of nine of the 15 members. If three of the permanent members abstain, then the US and UK will require the support of seven of the 10 elected members.
Public opinion in home countries against war on Iraq will make the task of the resolution's sponsors complicated in the days ahead, diplomats said.
Meanwhile, in Washington debate will begin in the Senate today on a resolution giving President Bush authority to use force against Iraq.
With Democrats divided over the need for war on Iraq, the text submitted by the White House is likely to be modified, allowing Mr Bush to take military action against Iraq but not in other parts of the region.
The White House stepped up pressure on Iraq yesterday, accusing Baghdad of attacking US and UK planes more frequently in the no-fly zones. The Defence Secretary, Mr Donald Rumsfeld, claimed Iraq had fired on no-fly-zone patrols 67 times since promising on September 16th to allow UN weapons inspectors back.