U.S., Russia Face Off in Iraq Debate

Britain and the United States have begun an effort to win Security Council approval for an overhaul of decade-old U.N. sanctions against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, but Russia says it has not budged and still opposes any quick change.

Experts from the 15 nations on the Security Council met to discuss the U.S.-backed British plan for the first time Thursday, setting the stage for tough negotiations on the proposal and raising the possibility of a veto by Russia, one of Iraq’s key backers on the council.

Baghdad’s ambassador, Mohammed Douri, reiterated his country’s threat to suspend oil sales that fund the main U.N. humanitarian program in Iraq if the Security Council passes any proposal backed by Britain and the United States. He indicated that oil exports will not be interrupted if the council adopts an “acceptable” rival resolution introduced by Russia.

The British plan would lift restrictions on most civilian goods entering Iraq while toughening enforcement of an arms embargo on Baghdad and tightening U.N. control over Iraq’s oil revenue.

The Russian resolution does not mention lifting sanctions on civilian goods or tightening border inspections to block illegal weapons and goods. It would simply extend the current “oil-for-food” program another six months.