DATE=9/30/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S / IRAQ RESOLUTION (S)

NUMBER=2-294683

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

INTRO: The Bush administration is stepping up consultations with U-N Security Council members to gain support for a resolution demanding that Iraq give up weapons of mass destruction or face the prospect of military action. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: Permanent Security Council members Russia, China and France have yet to endorse the drive for a resolution led by the United States and Britain. But officials here say Secretary of State Colin Powell is encouraged by the telephone talks he has had since Sunday with a long list of foreign ministers including those of Russia, France and key Arab states.

Though the terms of the draft are still under negotiation, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher says it will demand unrestricted access by U-N inspectors. He said Iraqi officials are deluding themselves if they think that sites like Saddam Hussein's palaces can be kept off-limits:

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At some points, they talk about unfettered access. And at other points they're rejecting in advance any resolution that would do that. So I think it's quite clear that Iraqi officials still don't understand. They just don't get it.

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U-S officials expect that a resolution will be ready for formal submission to the Security Council by Wednesday. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/KBK