UNITED NATIONS, June 20: The United States and Britain called for a ban on Iraqi officials traveling abroad without permission and suspension of periodic reviews of sanctions to punish Baghdad for refusing to let UN weapons inspectors enter sensitive sites.But China called the measures inappropriate, and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, could veto any such resolution.A western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said American and British officials suggested changes in the language of the resolution late on Thursday in an attempt to overcome objections.A vote on the proposal may be taken in the Council on Saturday, the official said.US and British diplomats circulated a draft resolution after Iraqi Republican guards barred UN inspectors from entering two compounds to search for banned weapons last week.The inspectors must certify that Iraq has complied with UN orders to destroy those weapons before the Council will lift crippling economic sanctions imposed after Baghdad invaded Kuwait in 1990.The initial draft would have required Iraqi officials to seek UN permission for foreign travel and would suspend the 60-day Council review of economic sanctions against Iraq.
