15 May 2004	Saturday	24 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

WASHINGTON, May 14: US President George Bush told foreign ministers from seven key allies on Friday it was time to put past differences over Iraq behind them and work together for the country's future.

Mr Bush, who engaged in a bitter debate with allies like France and Germany over whether to invade Iraq over alleged weapons of mass destruction, is seeking allied help as the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Baghdad plans to transfer sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government on June 30.

Mr Bush met at the White House with foreign ministers from the Group of Seven major industrial nations plus Russia. The seven are the United States, Britain, Italy, Canada, France, Germany and Japan.

"He talked about putting aside past differences and all of us working together to help the Iraqi people realize a brighter future," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

"It is in all of our interests to make sure there is a free and peaceful Iraq," he said.

Foreign ministers from France and Russia expressed willingness at the meeting to discuss any US-sponsored resolution to end turmoil in Iraq, sources said.

The United States and Britain are working on the draft of a U.N. Security Council resolution that would recognize the new Iraqi government. Washington hopes the resolution will lead to greater international participation in Iraq.

Mr McClellan said the president told the foreign ministers that he looked forward to consultations aimed at producing the UN resolution.

A series of informal discussions have also been held this week among UN Security Council members in New York on the proposed UN resolution on Iraq while US Secretary of State Colin Powell had raised the issue with several of his counterparts.

Mr Powell "looks forward to discussions" on the resolution with his G8 counterparts and then talks with some of America's Arab friends and partners who he would be meeting over the weekend, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

Russia's stand: The next United Nations resolution on Iraq must outline the model of settlement in the country, a top Russian official said on Friday.

"We are ready to discuss the new resolution," which the United States is seeking before the transfer of power in Iraq on June 30, Deputy Foreign Minister Yury Fedotov said. "But right now it's important to agree on the concept of Iraqi settlement," the Interfax news agency quoted him as saying.

Mr Fedotov's comments came hours before White House national security adviser Condoleezza Rice was due to arrive in Moscow for talks on the new UN resolution.

"The transition government that will accept sovereignty after June 30 will govern Iraq until national elections," he said.

"Ordinary Iraqis must understand that the new government will differ from the current temporary governing council and power structures created by the coalition administration," he said.

"That is the reason behind our approach and our suggestion to hold a conference with the participation of all Iraqi political parties, including the opposition, as well as neighbouring countries and members of the UN Security Council," he said.-AFP