I might be daft but this seems to be diplomatic mumble jumble. The French-German-Russian mob says they won't allow a resolution authorizing the use of force to pass but the US/UK resolution doesn't call for the UNSC to authorize the use of force.
Let the games continue.
Paul
Diplomatic Lines Harden Before Crucial U.N. Meeting on Friday
By JOHN TAGLIABUE
nytimes.com
PARIS, March 5 — In a serious challenge to the Bush administration, the foreign ministers of France, Germany and Russia said in a joint declaration today that they would not permit passage of a Security Council resolution authorizing the use of armed force against Iraq.
The French foreign minister, Dominique de Villepin, appearing at a news conference together with his German and Russian counterparts, suggested that France and Russia, both permanent Security Council members would use their right of veto to block any effort by the Bush administration to pass such a resolution.
Russia and France, as permanent members of the Security Council, Mr. de Villepin said, reading from the one-page text of the declaration, would assume their full responsibilities on this point. As Mr. de Villepin spoke the Russian foreign minister, Igor S. Ivanov, nodded agreement at his side.
On Tuesday, Mr. Ivanov was quoted by the BBC as saying that "Russia will not support any decision that would directly or indirectly open the way to war with Iraq." The Russian diplomat has been shuttling between European capitals to discuss the Iraq crisis, meeting in London earlier today with Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain.
The declaration by the three countries came as Secretary of States Colin L. Powell reiterated the view that Washington would go it alone if necessary to disarm Saddam Hussein, and by force if required.
In a challenge to the three, Mr. Powell said in an interview with Russian television that the Bush administration was prepared to lead a coalition of willing nations, either under United Nations authority or without United Nations authority, if that turns out to be the case, in order to disarm the Iraqi leader.
In a reference to the United Nations inspections in Iraq, the German foreign minister, Joschka Fischer, said: "We see there is progress. I do not see personally how we can stop the process of Resolution 1441 and resort to war."
In his declaration, the ministers said they believed the results of inspections "were more and more encouraging," citing the destruction of Iraqi missiles, information being received about biological and chemical agents and interviews with scientists.
But, they said, Iraq needs to cooperate "more actively" with inspections.
"The inspections cannot go on forever," they said.
The standoff appeared to heighten American isolation in seeking support for the use of force.
But in Washington, the White House spokesman, Ari Fleischer, said President Bush was confident the resolution would be passed and said the resistance from France, Russia and Germany did not necessarily represent their vote.
"What you are observing is a fluid situation as different nations make different statements that all lead up to the one day which is the most important day, which is the day of the vote."
The Turkish Parliament voted last week to refuse the deployment of American troops on its territory and the Arab League agreed to reject the use of force to remove Mr. Hussein.
The United States appeared increasingly alone, as several Latin American countries, including Chile and Mexico, as well as African countries holding temporary seats in the Security Council, distanced themselves from any plan for the use of force.
In Rome, Pope John Paul II, celebrating Ash Wednesday services, joined with leaders of other religions to urge the world to avoid a dramatic conflict in Iraq.
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