America hints at willingness to wait for resolution

The protracted argument at the United Nations over a new resolution on Iraq could delay deployment to the Gulf of American troops for a military strike against Saddam Hussein, Pentagon officials said yesterday.

The acknowledgement is the first sign that if UN inspectors do return to Baghdad, the assumption that the United States is all but resolved to attack this winter could be wrong. It also comes at crucial time in the arduous negotiations among the five permanent members of the Security Council.

Last night America convened for the first time a session of the full 15-member Security Council to circulate the latest draft of a resolution which is still being opposed by France and Russia – both of whom have veto powers. Although it seemed unlikely that the US would formally table the resolution – and thus challenge Paris and Moscow to stand up and be counted – Ari Fleischer, President Bush's spokesman, declared that negotiations had reached their "final moments".

"The end is either an agreement or a failure to reach agreement, and it could be either one right now," Mr Fleischer said. In the case of a failure, Mr Bush has made clear countless times, that the US would act alone or in concert with other supportive countries, among them Britian. Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, also stepped up pressure on the UN yesterday to make up its mind: "We cannot wait for ever. I do not believe we will have to," he said in London.

If the US draft, or something similar, is approved and the inspectors do return, it could be well into next year before the process is resolved. Iraq has 30 days to make an inventory of its weapons; 15 days after that, the UN inspectors go in, and after a further 60 further days must give the Security Council an initial update.

Throw in a little stalling by Saddam and some administrative slippage, and the start of a military action could be delayed until close to the middle of next year, as the scorching Gulf summer begins. This would make fighting difficult for American troops, assuming they have to wear cumbersome protective gear against a possible chemical or biological attack by a cornered Saddam. Pentagon officials stress, however, that even if troop deployments are delayed, the build-up of heavy equipment will continue. The planned transfer to the Gulf state of Qatar of some 600 staff from the US Central Command which would handle the campaign, will also go ahead in the next few weeks.

For all the manoeuvring at the UN, and the grudging concessions by the US, the sticking point remains unchanged: Washington's demand for a single resolution, and France's insistence on a two-stage process. The current US draft provides merely for the Security Council to reconvene and "consider the situation".

France and Russia fear that would be not be enough to stop the US launching an attack irrespective of the views of the rest of the Security Council. To pass, a resolution must secure nine "yes" votes and avoid any veto.