Weapons inspectors lend support to Iraq resolution

UNITED NATIONS -- The United States won key support Monday from chief weapons inspectors who told the Security Council they would be better off with a new resolution that warns Iraq of consequences if it fails to cooperate.

"I think it is desirable that Iraq understands that any lack of cooperation or violation ... will call for reactions on the part of the council," said Hans Blix, the top U.N. inspector.

But Blix and Mohammed ElBaradei, who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency in charge of nuclear inspections, questioned several details in the U.S. proposal and said it was up to the council -- not them -- to decide whether Iraq was in compliance.

"It has been suggested that we hold war and peace in our hands," Blix said. "We decline that statement. Our job is to report."

U.S. and British officials said they would take the inspectors' opinions under advisement and come back to the council with clarifications.

The U.S. draft resolution on Iraq, written with British support, includes references to "material breach" and "serious consequences" -- language some feel could authorize military action if Iraqi President Saddam Hussein fails to comply with inspectors. The draft, which continues to divide council members more than six weeks into negotiations, also lays out a new regime for inspectors.

U.S. and British diplomats hoped the statements from the weapons inspectors would increase support for their draft. The two English-speaking allies want a vote by the end of the week even though diplomats say they still lack the nine votes needed to pass the resolution.

But U.S. officials sought to convince allies that Bush will confront Iraq regardless of the vote's outcome. They hope to force a choice between backing Bush or looking irrelevant as he proceeds without them.