Mar 14 2003



Reprieve for Blair as he wins delay on UN vote

From Richard Wallace, US Editor, in New York



EMBATTLED Tony Blair was tossed a grudging morsel of support by President Bush yesterday, winning a delay for a UN vote on war with Iraq.

Facing huge domestic opposition to military action, Mr Blair begged Mr Bush in a 20-minute phone call for more time to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

A vote on a second UN resolution could now be delayed to next week or even as late as March 24.

A White House official said: "Mr Blair has been a good friend to us. We're returning the favour because of his domestic circumstances. But there's no more wiggle room."

As it stands, the resolution - backed by the US, Britain and Spain - sets a Monday deadline for Saddam Hussein to disarm. Mr Bush originally wanted a vote by the end of this week.

Yesterday Mr Blair asked Mr Bush to give a UK compromise deal, demanding Saddam meet six tests, the chance to succeed.

The White House, aware that the chances of a second resolution look slimmer than ever before, agreed.

But it also confirmed that it might not even bother with a second vote and wage war under the authority of previous UN resolutions.

Spokesman Ari Fleischer said: "The president is willing to go the extra mile. But there's a limit on how far he's willing to go.

"The end is coming into sight and there are numerous routes to reach it. The diplomatic process is under way. It may conclude tomorrow. It may continue into next week."

Clearly hinting at Mr Blair's intervention, he added: "The president is always guided by the advice he gets from our foreign friends.

"But if a diplomatic outcome cannot be achieved there should be no question about the president's intent to disarm Saddam."

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said: "The options remain go for a vote and see what members say, or not go for a vote.

"All options are before us. We'll examine them today, tomorrow and at the weekend. The day of reckoning is fast approaching." Asked if the British compromise could break the deadlock, he replied: "Not all of us bought all the elements. It's a way to see if more nations can find a way forward."

US ambassador to the UN John Negroponte insisted the delay was "a very, very brief extension".

National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice warned: "We're going to bring this to a conclusion very quickly. Enough is enough."

Tony Blair underlined the gloom by telling Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith the diplomatic talks were in serious difficulty.

Mr Duncan Smith said: "He told me that although they continue to try to seek a second resolution in the UN, and will continue to do so, that resolution is now probably less likely than at any time before.

"That means, essentially, military action is more likely."

Last night there was mounting speculation that a crunch Commons vote on Iraq would take place next Tuesday. Mr Blair is expected to face an even bigger rebellion of Labour backbenchers than in a revolt two weeks ago. Yesterday Britain's UN ambassador Sir Jeremy Greenstock insisted the UK six tests had met a "warm response".

But France, Germany and Russia rejected Britain's compromise.

Again pledging to veto any resolution which set a deadline, French foreign minister Dominique de Villepin said: "It's not a question of giving Iraq a few more days before committing to the use of force.

"It's about making resolute progress towards peaceful disarmament as mapped out by weapons inspections.''

His remarks enraged Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

He said: "I find it extraordinary that without proper consideration the French government decided they would reject these proposals adding that whatever the circumstances France will vote no.

"Whatever difficulties we face we will continue to work for a peaceful end. But statements rejecting the obligations on all of us make that process more difficult."

Germany' said the six tests still gave "an authorisation for war". Russia said it would veto any resolution paving the way for military intervention in Iraq.

But the UN is as divided as ever. So far only Britain, America, Spain and Bulgaria support the second resolution, which needs at least nine of 15 Security Council votes.

And though the six undecided members of the Council - Angola, Cameroon, Guinea, Pakistan, Chile and Mexico - have yet to respond, Guinea and Pakistan indicated they would abstain.

Chief UN nuclear inspector Mohammed Elbaradei said he supported setting tasks for Baghdad to satisfy all Security Council members. But he did not agree with all of Britain's proposals.

Meanwhile, the military build-up continued last night. Orders went out to move about a dozen US missile-firing warships from the Mediterranean to the Gulf.

Mr Blair could face a maximum 30 years jail for war crimes if he launches war on Iraq without UN backing, international law expert Professor Nick Grief said.

http://www.mirror.co.uk