UNITED NATIONS - Under intense pressure, U.N. Security Council members on Thursday conducted their first discussion on a U.S.-British-Spainish draft resolution that laid the groundwork for war against Iraq. And in an effort to dissuade council members from voting for the resolution, France, Germany and Russia were pushing proposals that would intensify U.N. arms inspections and continue them for at least four months. No vote is expected for about two weeks, with Washington not yet having garnered enough support for passage.

Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix on Wednesday gave ammunition to the Bush administration by saying bluntly that Iraq still had not made a „fundamental decision“ to disarm. His remarks were the most critical since he told the Security Council on Jan. 27 that Baghdad had not come to a „genuine acceptance“ of the need to disarm. In general, however, he has tried to avoid language that could be seized on by hawks or doves and said Baghdad‘s latest submissions of arms data showed „progress.“

Blix delivered a written report to the Security Council before appearing in a session on March 6 or March 7.

The inspectors have been charged with investigating Iraq‘s claim that it has eliminated all its weapons of mass destruction. Washington dismissed Iraqi statements as lies and is preparing for an invasion.

Lobbying is intense around the world as well as in New York, with special focus on six undecided council members — Mexico, Chile, Pakistan, Angola, Cameroon and Guinea.

Adoption of a resolution in the 15-nation council needs a minimum of nine votes in favor and no veto from its five permanent members, the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China. Canada, not a council member, tried to break the impasse with a plan that would set a series of ultimatums Iraq would have to complete by March 28 or face the possibility of war. But while the six wavering council members were interested in the proposal, the United States opposed it because it would delay any deadline for military action. Germany spoke against the plan because it could still lead to war.

The United States is also concentrating on Russia, where President Vladimir Putin values his country‘s relationship with Washington. While there is only a remote chance Moscow would support the resolution, U.S. officials want to make sure it does not use its veto power to kill it. Washington‘s strategy is to get the minimum nine votes needed to adopt the resolution and then dare any veto-bearing nation, such as Russia, China or France, to kill the resolution. France has the reverse strategy: if the United States does not get the nine votes, it would be spared making a decision about whether or not to veto the measure.

Reuters