Monday 10 March 2003

Russia ready for Iraq veto

It is the first time that any permanent member of the Security Council has explicitly said it will veto the resolution.

France and China have also made clear they are opposed to any war with Iraq.

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said the resolution, which sets a 17 March deadline for Iraq to disarm, was impossible to fulfil and went against the grain of the current resolution, 1441.

"We believe that no new resolution is required at this time but that it is vital to provide comprehensive support to the IAEA and Unmovic inspectors," Mr Ivanov said.

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