MEXICO CITY: The anti-war sentiment prevailing in Latin America is providing political protection and encouragement for the governments of Chile and Mexico, the two Latin American members of the United Nations Security Council, to stand up to pressure and threats from Washington, which demands their support for its plans to attack Iraq.

Chile and Mexico both hold rotating seats on the Security Council and say they are working together and maintain a position reflecting that of most of the region’s countries, while they are also garnering support from their political opposition at home.

Since last week, the Chilean and Mexican governments have been promoting a proposal in the Security Council that would set strict deadlines for Baghdad to comply with the UN-imposed ban on possession of weapons of mass destruction and would allow the UN’s weapons inspection team to continue its work in Iraq.

Diplomatic sources in Mexico said the Latin American proposal, backed by non-member Canada, does not appear to have much support on the UN Security Council.

Over the past six days the Mexican government has shifted its pacifist-leaning discourse to one that emphasises demanding Iraq’s immediate disarmament and referring to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein as a tyrant.

Chile, however, has remained steady in its initial position on the issue: opposition to an attack against Iraq.

“Mexico’s stance at this time is aligned with that of its citizens. This gives us political tranquillity and political unity,” said Mexican President Vicente Fox.

But the domestic benefits are just one side of the coin. US President George W. Bush told Copley News Service on Monday that Washington could take disciplinary action if Mexico and other countries on the Council do not support the US-led resolution.—Dawn/The InterPress News Service.