Robin Cook, the British Foreign Secretary, has arrived in Washington for a series of talks with the American Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, and other senior officials.

The meetings are expected to focus on the latest confrontation with Iraq and also on the relationship between Iran and the West.

Crucial role

As the current president of the European Union, the UK is responsible for dealing with disagreements between the EU and the US concerning the Iraqi and Iranian governments.

In the United Nations Security Council, Britain has backed America's hardline policy towards President Saddam Hussein warning of "serious consequences" if Iraq continues to block weapons inspectors.

But France has sought to avoid confrontations wherever possible, along with Russia and China, the other permanent members of the Security Council,.

Split over Iran

British and American views on Iran are likely to diverge though.

A Foreign Office spokesperson indicated that Robin Cook believes there is an opportunity to engage with Iran with the appointment of the new President, Mohammad Khatami.

He is opposed to the United States imposition of unilateral sanctions and to the former European Union policy of critical dialogue.

Developing a more effective transatlantic policy on Iran will be a test of relations between Europe and America.

Mr Cook is likely to press for a tough approach to counter Iran's efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction.

He will try to head off moves to impose sanctions on the French oil company, Total, under controversial American legislation penalising trade with Iran.

The Washington talks are also expected to cover international efforts to contain the massacres in Algeria.
 

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