Powell: US Close to Get Enough Votes on Iraq

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, March 10, 2003

Powell: US Close to Get Enough Votes on Iraq

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US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Sunday that the United States are close to gaining enough votes for a UN Security Council resolution to authorize the use of force against Iraq, but feared that France may veto the measure.

"I would not be surprised if they (France) vetoed, because they have been pretty clear that they want to stop that resolution," Powell told "Fox News Sunday."

"Right now I would expect the French to do everything they can to stop it, including possible use of the veto, although they haven't used the veto word."

Even if France does not veto the resolution, the US and its supporters still need nine votes of the 15-member Security Council to make the resolution approved.

Powell stressed that the United States was within "striking distance" of the necessary nine votes.

The five permanent members of the council are Britain, China, France, Russia and the US. The ten non-permanent members are Angola, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Chile, Guinea, Germany, Mexico, Pakistan, Spain and Syria.

Analysts say France and the United States are lobbying for the decisive support of undecided countries like Angola, Guinea, Cameroon and Mexico.

The United States, Britain and Spain on Friday amended their draft resolution to include a March 17 ultimatum for Iraq to obey disarmament demands or face war in an effort to get wavering council members to support possible military action.

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