UN awaits Iraq amendments

By Greg Barrow
BBC UN correspondent

Some Council members worry about a dominant US role

US officials have promised amendments to a draft resolution on post-war Iraq that would take into account some of the concerns raised by UN Security Council members.

The Council concluded its first round of consultations on a draft resolution on Wednesday.

US ambassador John Negroponte said he hoped to see the resolution put to a vote sometime next week.

However, other diplomats say that this may be overly optimistic.

Wednesday's meeting was the first chance for Security Council ambassadors to raise their individual concerns about the draft Iraq resolution.

Constructive mood

Diplomats say there were many questions about the potential role of the United Nations and whether it could be enhanced beyond what was envisaged in the current draft.

It has been presented as a map towards the lifting of UN sanctions and the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq.

But many Council members are concerned about the degree to which the draft resolution places the occupying powers - the US and Britain - in control of Iraq's oil resources.

They are also worried about these two countries being in the driving seat when it comes to setting up a new Iraqi administration.

That's not to say they will deliberately block the passage of a resolution that aims to assist the Iraqi people.

Diplomats say the mood on the Council is still constructive.

Ambassadors are awaiting the delivery of a modified text that takes some of their concerns into account, and this may form the basis of negotiations in the coming days and weeks.