Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Wednesday that at present "there is no question of a veto" when the new draft resolution on Iraq is discussed, Itar Tass reported.
Asked by reporters whether Russia is going to use its veto if its amendments to the document are not taken into account, Ivanov said that "everyone is keen to find a settlement for the most acute Iraqi crisis". "We would like to see a draft resolution that would receive the backing of the entire UN Security Council," the minister said.
"These amendments are not aimed against anyone. They are aimed at achieving a political settlement in Iraq," the Russian foreign minister explained.
The United States is to call a UN Security Council vote on the latest draft of its Iraq resolution later on Wednesday.
According to AFP, US ambassador John Negroponte and Britain's Emyr Jones Parry said they would call the vote on the latest version of the draft -- the fourth since September.
Negroponte noted he wanted a decision before US Secretary of State Colin Powell leaves for Asia this week and ahead of a crucial donors conference for Iraq later this month in Madrid. (Albawaba.com)
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