The US and France stepped up opposing diplomatic efforts on Sunday to win over reluctant Security Council members ahead of a key UN vote on war against Iraq. France is sending Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin on a whistle-stop tour of Guinea, Cameroon and Angola to urge them to reject a US-backed draft resolution setting a March 17 deadline for Iraq to disarm. UK Environment Minister’s aide quits over Iraq London: In the first fallout of differences in the Blair Ministry over the impending US-led attack on Iraq, a close aide of the Environment Minister resigned on Sunday. Andy Reed, MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary to Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett, said in a statement that he would give his full reasons for resigning tomorrow. Three other MPs who work as assistants to ministers have indicated they would step down if action is taken without UN backing. Unilateral US war on Iraq unjust, says Jimmy Carter NEW YORK: Former US President and Nobel Prize winner Jimmy Carter on Sunday condemned preparations for a unilateral US attack on Iraq, saying it would be an unjust war ‘‘unprecedented in the history of civilised nations’’. In an article in The New York Times, Carter said profound changes in US foreign policy had reversed ‘‘consistent bipartisan commitments that for more than two centuries have earned our nation greatness’’. (Agencies) If the resolution fails to win the Council’s backing, Washington has said it could lead a ‘‘coalition of the willing’’ without UN approval to disarm Iraq. French President Jacques Chirac, on the other hand, is lobbying other heads of state to join him at a proposed emergency summit of Council members to search for a compromise on Iraq, his office said. The new French plan was unveiled at the Security Council on Friday by de Villepin. Secretary of State Colin Powell dismissed the idea, saying he saw no need for such a summit when key powers have been expressing their views ‘‘openly and candidly.’’ In successive interviews on Sunday, Powell said it was unclear if the Council would approve a resolution paving the way to war with Iraq but he saw a ‘‘strong chance’’ that the US may get nine or 10 votes. He said he would not be surprised if France vetoed the resolution authorising war. France, however, remains committed to the idea of a summit. Chirac has consulted some heads of state to push for one and plans to consult others over the next few days, his office said on Saturday. He has so far received a positive response regarding the proposed summit, his office said. President Bush appeared to be making little headway in gathering support ahead of the vote, which could take place as soon as Tuesday. Chilean President Ricardo Lagos, whose country currently sits on the Council, told Bush by telephone that the March 17 dateline for Iraqi disarmament was too short and added that the UN weapons inspectors should be given more time. UN military observers on the Iraq-Kuwait border said on Saturday they were withdrawing civilian staff to Kuwait City for their own safety in view of a possible US invasion of Iraq. ‘‘We are doing this as a protective measure for their safety in view of the situation,’’ said Daljeet Bagga, spokesman of the UN Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission. UNIKOM’s 195 observers and its 775-strong Bangladeshi military support units would stay in place, he said. Meanwhile, Iraq’s General Hussam Mohammad Amin said on Sunday Chief UN Weapons Inspector Hans Blix might visit Baghdad on March 17. Meanwhile, Muslim countries worked a second track of diplomacy, circulating a proposal designed to encourage Iraqis to revolt against the regime, diplomats said. The paper, backed by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, would offer an amnesty to Iraqi officials who cooperate with inspectors.
