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Dear list, What is the next step now? . http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=578&e=1&cid=578&u=/nm/20021108/ts_nm/iraq_un_resolution_dc UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council on Friday unanimously approved a tough U.S.-sponsored resolution giving Iraq one last chance to disarm or face the consequences and ordering President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) to accept its terms within a week. Even Syria, which had signaled it would not vote in favor, joined the other council members for the 15-0 vote. "I urge the Iraqi leadership for the sake of its own people and for the sake of world security and world order to seize this opportunity and thereby begin to end the isolation and suffering of the Iraqi people," U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (news - web sites) told the council. The vote came after two months of arduous negotiations around the world among nations, especially France and Russia, who feared the resolution could automatically trigger war. The new measure still leaves Washington free to attack Iraq without a formal second U.N. resolution authorizing the use of force. But it requires the Security Council to assess any serious violation that could lead to war. The resolution, co-sponsored by Britain, gives U.N. arms inspectors, who have been out of Iraq for four years, "immediate, unimpeded and unconditional" rights to search anywhere for weapons of mass destruction, including Saddam's presidential compounds. It directs Iraq to accept the terms of the resolution in seven days, and within 30 days make an "accurate full and complete" declaration of its nuclear, chemical, biological and ballistic weapons as well as related materials used in civilian industries. The resolution threatens Iraq with "serious consequences" if it does not take advantage of "a final opportunity" to cooperate. President Bush (news - web sites) expressed pleasure over the outcome of his challenge to the United Nations (news - web sites) General Assembly on Sept. 12 when he told the world body to get tough with Iraq or the United States would act alone. "When this resolution passes, I will be able to say that the United Nations has recognized the threat and now we're going to work together and disarm him," Bush said on Thursday. BREAKTHROUGH AFTER BUSH TALKS TO CHIRAC Support from France and Russia was nearly jeopardized earlier this week when the United States introduced its third and final draft. It added a phrase that France, Russia and others believed gave Washington a "hidden trigger" for war under the guise of U.N. Security Council approval. But a breakthrough came on Thursday, following a telephone conversation between Bush and French President Jacques Chirac that adjusted language in the text. The most explosive provision is paragraph 4, which decides that "false statements or omissions" and other non-cooperation by Iraq constitute a "further material breach" of Baghdad's obligations -- wording that would allow a military attack. France won agreement that U.N. arms inspectors have to report any serious violations to the Security Council, which would have to convene and evaluate the complaint before any military action could begin. But the new resolution does not demand the council authorize the use of force. U.S. and British diplomats emphasized repeatedly that the resolution was not a blueprint for war but a way to avoid it. Yet, with American troops being sent to the Gulf, few doubt there will be a war, despite opposition to a military strike in most countries in the world. Iraq, however, had no doubts about the intent of the resolution. "The main issue is how the Americans would use that resolution for their own purposes," Iraqi U.N. ambassador, Mohammed Aldouri, told Reuters. "We find the whole resolution constitutes a trigger to wage war against my country." The U.N. arms inspectors have up to 45 days to begin work and another 60 days to report to the council on what they have uncovered. But they are obligated to report any obstructions by Iraq immediately. Hans Blix, the chief U.N. weapons inspector, expects to have an advance team in Baghdad to prepare for inspections within 10 days. About a dozen inspectors are to arrive a week later. He said a strong resolution that would have the support of all council members "strengthens our hand." A large part of the negotiations on the resolution were conducted by Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) in telephone talks with the foreign ministers of Britain, France, Russia and China. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, by his own count, spoke to Powell about 25 times in the past 12 days. - - - - Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed _________________________________________________________________ Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk