-Caveat Lector- Russia Wants Iraq Sanctions Ended By NICOLE WINFIELD .c The Associated Press UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- Russia, China and France suggested Wednesday that the Security Council suspend sanctions on Iraq once a new arms monitoring system is in place, part of a new round of negotiations on drafting a new U.N. policy for Baghdad. The United States immediately rejected the proposal and said it would instead consider an alternative draft resolution submitted Tuesday by Britain and the Netherlands which calls for foreign investment in Iraq's oil sector after U.N. arms inspections resume. ``We're looking favorably at that draft,'' Deputy U.S. Ambassador Peter Burleigh said as he headed into a meeting of the permanent members of the council to hear Russia detail its proposal. Russia had initially suggested lifting sanctions on Iraq entirely, arguing that the removal of the oil embargo was the only way to persuade Iraq to allow the United Nations to resume overseeing the destruction of its weapons of mass destruction. China and France have signed on to the new Russian draft, which says sanctions that have crippled the Iraqi economy for nearly nine years would be suspended for 100 days after Secretary-General Kofi Annan reports that a system of monitoring Iraq's banned weapons programs is operational. The suspension would roll over every 100 days unless Annan reports that the monitoring regime isn't working effectively. Iraq's foreign assets would remain frozen. On the weapons front, the Russian draft says that Iraq has been disarmed to the extent that a system of monitoring can be established to prevent Iraq from rebuilding its banned weapons programs. ``We don't accept it. We reject it,'' Burleigh said, stressing that the United States doesn't agree that Iraq is fully disarmed. The British-Dutch draft resolution calls for a similar system of monitoring, but ties it more closely to the inspection system that was established in 1991 at the end of the Gulf War. If Iraq submits to the new monitoring, the draft calls for the Security Council to consider approving new ways to increase Baghdad's oil exports, including foreign investment, so that more money can be funnelled into the U.N. oil-for-food program. The humanitarian program allows Iraq to sell $5.26 billion in oil over six months provided the money be used to buy food and medicine for Iraqis. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
