DATE=09/13/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=GENEVA TALKS/IRAQ (S)

NUMBER=2-307473

BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK

DATELINE=GENEVA

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan says consensus among the five permanent members of the Security Council on Iraq's future political and security arrangements is essential and achievable. He spoke to reporters after meeting in Geneva with foreign ministers from the five countries, who gathered to try to work out differences on how to approach the Iraq situation. V-O-A's Dale Gavlak has the details from Geneva.

TEXT: U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan said the talks showed many points of convergence, but difficulties remain to be worked out.

All five permanent Security Council members agree that power should be transferred to the Iraqi people as soon as possible. Differences remain over timing.

France has said it wants to see authority turned over in one month's time. U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell earlier called such a plan "totally unrealistic."

After the meeting, Mr. Powell said his talks with French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin edged them slightly closer.

/// POWELL ACT ///

Dominique and I had excellent discussions. And we have learned enough about each other's positions that I think both of us would say -- if I can speak for both of us -- that there is a basis for our representatives in New York to undertake discussions next week, to see if we can find a consensus.

/// END ACT ///

The United States is seeking Security Council approval of a proposed U-N resolution to broaden international involvement in Iraq. (SIGNED)

NEB/DG/TW