UNITED NATIONS, March 6: In a last-minute effort to win over waverers in the UN Security Council, the United States said on Thursday it might amend a draft resolution seeking UN authority to disarm Iraq by force.

“Nothing is set in stone,” White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said in Washington on the eve of a council meeting at the foreign-minister level.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw echoed the White House statement, saying at a press conference in New York that he was ready to amend the draft resolution. “Of course there is a possibility of amendment.”

The US, Britain and Spain have sponsored a draft resolution which declares that Iraq has rejected its final opportunity to disarm peacefully and recalls the council’s warning of “serious consequences” for failing to do so.

France and Russia have said they will not allow it to pass — implying that they will use their veto powers as permanent members.

Along with Germany, they have circulated a counter-proposal to expand and prolong the weapons inspections, which began in Iraq on Nov 27.

“In consultations, the sponsors have said that adopting the resolution would mean authorization of the use of force,” said Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations, Munir Akram.

Pakistan is one of the six middle-ground members whose support is crucial to the US and its allies. A draft resolution needs nine votes to pass, and so far the three sponsors can be certain only of their own. A diplomatic source in London said the sponsors might amend their text to include an ultimatum to Iraq to meet certain key disarmament tasks.—AFP