Colin Powell, the United States Secretary of State, stated that the U.S. is close to securing the 9 votes needed for the approval of a new resolution in the United Nations Security Council that paves the way for war with Iraq. However, Powell added that France might use its veto power to block the resolution. Powell spoke on Sunday as the United States and Britain are trying to encourage undecided members of the Security Council to support this resolution, which gives Iraq until March 17 (26 Esfand) to prove its disarmament or face military action. France has also intensified its efforts against the resolution, with Dominique de Villepin, the French Foreign Minister, heading to Africa to strongly urge Angola, Cameroon, and Guinea, which are council members, to reject the U.S.-backed proposal.
Colin Powell: We Are Close to Securing the 9 Votes Needed for the Approval of a New Resolution
Colin Powell announced that the U.S. is nearing the required votes for a UN resolution that would authorize military action against Iraq. France, however, is expected to veto the resolution, complicating the U.S. and UK's efforts to gain support. This situation is significant as it highlights the geopolitical tensions surrounding the Iraq conflict.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Colin Powell announced that the U.S. is close to securing enough votes in the UN Security Council to approve a resolution for military action against Iraq, but France is likely to veto it. This situation complicates the U.S. and UK's efforts to garner support for their proposal.
- The resolution gives Iraq until March 17 to prove its disarmament.
- France is actively lobbying other Security Council members to oppose the U.S.-backed resolution.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The U.S. and its allies were preparing for military intervention in Iraq based on claims of weapons of mass destruction, leading to significant international debate and division.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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