US hopeful of deal on Iraq resolution

The United States said it would introduce its final resolution on Iraq today and appeared optimistic of strong support in the UN Security Council, as Russia and France waited to see if the new version would eliminate "hidden triggers" in the wording that could allow America to invade.

In an extensive round of last-minute diplomacy, the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell spoke to the French and Russian foreign ministers, as well as the Foreign Minister of Mexico, which has supported the French-Russian position. He also phoned the British and German foreign ministers, and the UN secretary general, Kofi Annan.

A senior US administration official said in Washington: "We think we've put together a strong resolution with good support ... that sends a strong message to Iraq. The resolution ... makes clear that Iraq is in material breach. It provides a very tough inspection regime and makes clear there are serious consequences if Iraq doesn't comply."

Russia, France and China contend that America could use references to "material breach" and "serious consequences" to launch an attack on Iraq without specific Security Council authorisation. They want the possibility of force only to be considered in a second resolution if Iraq fails to comply with UN inspectors. The US official said General Powell worked out some of the final points with the French Foreign Minister, Dominique de Villepin, and was continuing to work with others.

France, Russia and the other Security Council members were waiting to see the final wording in the US text, which Washington hopes will be voted on by the end of the week. A French diplomat said: "We hope for some significant changes regarding the ... hidden triggers."

Nonetheless, Vladimir Lukin, the deputy speaker of the Russian parliament, said Moscow was optimistic the Security Council would reach a compromise. He said, however, that Russia remained sceptical of US claims that Saddam Hussein is developing weapons of mass destruction.

General Powell said in an interview published yesterday that the revised draft took French and Russian views into account. But he reiterated that America could not be "handcuffed".

Jorge Castaneda, the Mexican Foreign Minister, said Mexico would probably abstain if there is not consensus among the major powers.