Bidding war for critical UN votes

NEW YORK - The diplomatic battle over Iraq has turned into a race through Africa as British and French ministers seek to persuade undecided members of the United Nations Security Council to back their view of war.

In an unprecedented focus on three impoverished African countries - which happen to be non-permanent members of the Security Council - both French Foreign Minister Dominique De Villepin and the British minister responsible for Africa, Valerie Amos, have arrived for furious lobbying and behind-the-scenes promises of aid.

At stake are the nine votes the United States and Britain need to push through a resolution that would set a deadline of Monday for Iraq to disarm or face war.

The lightning tour of Angola, Cameroon and Guinea by Mr de Villepin and Baroness Amos comes as US hopes of securing votes ran into trouble.

Mexico and Chile are pushing for a last-minute compromise.

As President George W. Bush worked the phones to national leaders, Secretary of State Colin Powell met the Foreign Minister of Guinea, Francois Ousseynou Fall, and called top officials in Angola, Mexico and Pakistan.

But Mr de Villepin, fast becoming a celebrity for his opposition to war, flew to the impoverished nations of Cameroon and Guinea, both former French colonies, as well as Angola, for face-to-face talks.

Mr de Villepin, seeking to stave off the first French veto on the Security Council in 27 years, appeared to suffer his own setback in his first lobbying engagement in Angola.

After meetings in Angola's seaside capital, Luanda, its Foreign Minister, Joao Miranda, and Mr de Villepin had clearly different views on the inevitability of war.

"War is inevitable, and we're worried about the future of the United Nations," Mr Miranda said.

"We're worried about the aftermath of war, but I won't reveal Angola's position now."

Angola, trying to rebuild after a civil war, is particularly divided.

The United States is Angola's largest aid donor and biggest investor in its oil economy, but French firm Total FinaElf is one of the biggest players in the Angolan economy, which is almost totally dependent on oil exports.

In Cameroon, Mr de Villepin told reporters the French were not there to bargain.

"We do respect the full liberty and the full independence of Cameroon, as well as Angola and Guinea.

"We don't think that in such a situation we should bargain. We are talking about war and peace in the world.

"We won't let a resolution that could open the way to war pass in the Security Council."

France has led the opposition to war against Iraq, saying that UN weapons inspectors have been effective and need more time.

Angola, Cameroon and Guinea supported France's position at a pan-African summit last month in Paris.

Cameroon, especially, seems to want to stay on side with Paris.

American and British officials also have been wooing the Africans.

Mr Powell met Mr Fall of Guinea in Washington, and Mr Fall was scheduled to visit National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice at the White House.

US Assistant Secretary of State Walter Kansteiner visited Angola and Guinea last month.

Baroness Amos followed Mr Kansteiner, just days after Britain announced that it would contribute $11 million to West African refugees. Much of it will go to Guinea.

Guinea, a Muslim nation of 7.7 million people, is said by some observers to be seeking foreign cash and arms from either France or the United States.

American officials have suggested they will focus more on diplomatic efforts with Guinea and Angola, believing Cameroon's position is swinging towards France or an abstention.

For the US-backed ultimatum, an abstention could mean the difference between success and defeat.

Pakistan, another key undecided member of the Security Council, also appeared to be contemplating abstaining.

Pakistan's Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, said it would be "very difficult for Pakistan to support an Iraqi war".

Yesterday, Security Council ambassadors began new consultations, but chances of the resolution coming to a vote today - the original US target date - appeared to be receding since Washington and its allies are still far from mustering the nine votes needed.

The US and its allies have more than 300,000 troops, more than 500 warplanes and dozens of warships ready to strike.

In The Hague, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan gave a warning that if military action were taken without the authority of the Security Council, "the legitimacy and support for any such action would be seriously impaired".

Mr Bush has said he is ready to fight without United Nations backing.

But the political cost is mounting for his main ally, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, with International Development Secretary Clare Short threatening to resign if Britain goes to war without UN backing.

- AGENCIES