U.N. ready to extend Iraq embargo

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The U.N. is due to vote on extending the oil-for-food sanctions regime against Iraq - but Baghdad has refused to say whether it will resume oil exports.

Iraq stopped shipments of oil under the scheme when the U.N. in June only extended the programme for one month instead if the usual six.

The one-month extension was granted to allow the UK time to garner support for 'smart' sanctions -- a move Iraq opposes -- and which has since failed..

MESSAGE BOARD Iraq

The U.S.-backed initiative was put on the back-burner after Russia -- whose support as permanent member of the U.N. Security Council was vital - refused to vote for it

'Smart' sanctions would have allowed more legal trade with Iraq but clamp down on goods with military uses and illegal smuggling.

Iraq's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Naji Sabri told Reuters: "Let us wait and see the resolution first and then we will decide(what to do).

"If there is a normal extension of the food-for-oil formula we shall consider the matter. But now we cannot talk of something which is not yet issued."

After the failure to introduce 'smart' sanctions the UK introduced a new resolution on Monday to extend the U.N. humanitarian programme, which allows Iraq to sell oil in order to buy a wide range of civilian supplies, for five months.

The U.N. is expected to approve the extension on Tuesday prompting Iraqi media to claim "victory" in the diplomatic battle with the U.S. and UK.

The government-run newspaper al-Jumhouriya published a front-page editorial saying: "At last the tyrannous Americans and those who follow them are facing a crushing defeat."

But British diplomats will continue attempts to persuade Russia to support 'smart' sanctions.

China and France - also permanent members of the security council -- were won over after initial opposition in the last month

Britain's U.N. Ambassador, Jeremy Greenstock, said: "I'm saying that our draft resolution remains broadly supported in the council and very much alive."

He called Russia's opposition to the sanctions overhaul "unjustifiable and negative."

Britain and the U.S. spent several months this year crafting the new policy toward Iraq, which was aimed at restoring flagging international support for the sanctions imposed on Saddam Hussein's government after its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

The draft resolution, introduced by the UK on May 22, would lift most restrictions on civilian goods entering Iraq while attempting to plug lucrative Iraqi smuggling routes and tightening enforcement of the 11-year-old arms embargo.

Last week, Russia introduced a rival resolution aimed at speeding an end to Iraqi sanctions. It would suspend sanctions on civilian goods if Iraq allowed U.N. weapons inspectors back into the country.

Russia's Ambassador to the U.N., Sergey Lavrov said Moscow wants "a comprehensive solution of the Iraqi issue" and that the Russian draft will remain on the table.