The United States has agreed to drop, for a period yet to be settled, a revamp of United Nations sanctions against Iraq, and extend the current oil-for-food program without changes.
State Department spokesman Mr Richard Boucher told a news briefing the US wanted to use the time to win the support of Russia, the only permanent Security Council member against instigating the new system that eases restrictions on civilian goods and spells out "dual use" supplies.
Despite a telephone call between Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell and Russian Foreign Minister Mr Igor Ivanov earlier today, a day ahead of the expiration date on the current humanitarian oil-for-food program, Mr Boucher said it was clear the remaining differences would not be resolved in time.
China, France as well as the United States and Britain, had agreed on a list of "dual use" goods that has to be reviewed to make sure supplies cannot be used for military purposes - and non-permanent Council members backed the move, he said.