Britain would consider new Iraq deadline

Britain would consider a compromise UN resolution that extends an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein beyond the proposed March 17 deadline.

A compromise resolution could give Saddam a specific list of demands based on weapons inspectors' assessment of gaps in Iraqi disarmament, Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman said.

"There are a number of key areas where there are key questions," the spokesman said, adding that Saddam had failed to specify where he was hiding suspected mustard gas, sarin and VX nerve gas.

The UN Security Council could demand the Iraqi leader reveal the whereabouts of such poisons under a tight deadline, he said.

He said a compromise resolution could give Saddam longer than the March 17 deadline which has been discussed, but not much more.

"There may be other colleagues on the council who would like a little bit more time and we will listen to their views," the spokesman said.

"What is important is that whatever the date is, there has to be a tight deadline.

"What Saddam has shown in the past is that it is only within a very, very tight deadline that he would bow to pressure," he added.

The spokesman said Blair spoke by phone Monday with chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix.

The two discussed the unresolved disarmament points Blair feels could form the basis for a compromise resolution, the spokesman said.

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