Iraq has accused the United States of blackmailing the United Nations Security Council over its latest resolution criticising Baghdad over weapons inspections.

The wording of the resolution was toned down from a draft proposed by the US.

The US had asked the council to condemn Baghdad, but diplomats said Russia, France and China objected to the use of the word condemn.

In the final resolution on Monday, the council omitted the word "condemns" from the statement and included language affirming Iraqi sovereignty. However, it did criticise Iraq for refusing to allow UN weapons inspectors full access to suspected weapons sites.

A UN proposal, which was adopted unanimously by the 15-member council, described Iraq's refusal to grant weapons inspectors full and immediate access as "unacceptable and a clear violation of the relevant resolutions".

American Scott Ritter, chief inspector in Iraq, prepares to leave after a week long visit

Iraq and the Security Council remain deadlocked over whether the UN Special Commission's inspectors will be permitted access to Saddam Hussein's weapons sites, which Baghdad describes as essential to its national security and sovereignty.

The Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, called on the council to pursue a balanced way of working towards lifting the present embargo against Iraq.

Washington's UN Ambassador, Bill Richardson said the statement sent an unmistakable signal to Iraq to comply to the UN resolutions.

Before the Security Council meeting, Mr Richardson repeated that there was no prospect of existing UN sanctions on Iraq being lifted.

"Sanctions on Iraq are not going to be lifted while it continues to violate Security Council resolutions," he said.
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©