Russia: U.N. Resolution On Iraq Needs ‘More Work’

"This initiative deserves attention because the draft resolution in part reflects principles that Russia had been repeatedly fighting for," Russia ‘s top diplomat added according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

France and Germany – nations that along with Russia bitterly opposed the U.S.-led unauthorized war on Iraq – have already expressed opposition to the new resolution.

The first consultations on the draft are expected to begin Friday.

The draft U.S. resolution obtained by AFP does not explicitly place the United States in charge of the force. But it says the United States would report to the Security Council on efforts undertaken by the international contingent.

The resolution also gives the United Nations a role in deciding a timetable for a "democratic" government to be established.

Russia , which has sought a central role for the United Nations in Iraq , has veto power on the world-governing body as permanent U.N. Security Council member.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had said earlier that Moscow saw nothing negative in an international force in Iraq under U.S. command.

And Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov hinted for the first time Thursday, September 4, that Russia may send peacekeepers to Iraq in response for Washington ‘s pleas for additional international help.

However, the Russian Foreign Minister Friday appeared to quash such suggestions by saying that Russia ‘s participation was "not realistically being examined."

For their part, the French and Germans said the U.S.-proposed U.N. resolution on a multinational force in Iraq did not fulfill conditions laid down by the United Nations.