Iraq ignores UN vote

Iraq's people have seen no reports of the UN decision yet

By Caroline Hawley BBC correspondent in Baghdad

Baghdad has made no immediate response to the Security Council vote which gives Iraq one final opportunity to comply with disarmament demands or face unspecified "serious consequences".

It was a vote Iraq had hoped would never happen.

The UN meeting was relayed to journalists but not the Iraqi public

In fact, state-run television here has so far decided to ignore it.

It has made no mention at all of the UN Security Council decision, or George Bush's threat of the severest consequences if Saddam Hussein does not comply.

But the Iraqi leadership is well aware of just how high the stakes are.

Since it agreed in September to allow the UN weapons inspectors back, Iraq has repeatedly said no new resolution was needed.

Focus on Saddam

But earlier this week, when a deal seemed close, Saddam Hussein said Iraq would consider co-operating with a resolution that respected Iraq's sovereignty, security and independence, and was not merely a pretext for war.

Now, all eyes are on him to see how he will respond.

The resolution will not be easy for Iraq to accept.

A prominent member of the ruling Baath Party told the BBC it imposed impossible conditions, and was written not be implemented.

But, as the Americans have made clear, Saddam Hussein now does not have much choice.