Mexico seeks to bridge U.S.-France divide

Mexican President Vicente Fox told Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Tuesday that his country is considering submitting a fresh resolution to the U.N. Security Council that seeks to bridge the gap between the United States and France.

“We are considering a proposal in which the U.N. Security Council can come as one,” Fox was quoted as telling Koizumi. “There is still room for negotiation.”

During a telephone conversation with Koizumi, Fox also said Mexico, a nonpermanent member of the council considered to have the decisive vote, is not taking sides with either the U.S.-led camp or countries like France opposing a war on Iraq.

Koizumi made the call to ask for Mexico’s support for the revised draft resolution submitted by the U.S., Britain and Spain that would pave the way for military action against Iraq if it fails to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction by March 17.

In a separate meeting, Koizumi and visiting Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy agreed that a resolute and united stance toward Iraq is necessary.

“Bulgaria is prepared to support the decision of the international community” if there is a war on Iraq, Passy was quoted as saying by Foreign Ministry officials. “We are concerned that a lengthy discussion will only benefit Iraq.”

Bulgaria, another nonpermanent member of the council, has expressed support toward the revised resolution.

Meanwhile, former prime ministers met with Koizumi at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence later in the day, urging him to continue making last-minute diplomatic efforts.

“We are still not at the stage of talking about whether to (support) a war or not,” Kiichi Miyazawa said, stressing the importance of seeking a diplomatic solution to the crisis.