TOKYO, March 12 (Kyodo) - Visiting Russian Vice Foreign Minister Georgy Mamedov indicated Wednesday his country may refrain from using its veto in a vote on a new U.N. resolution that would authorize war on Iraq.
''Russia is hoping to avoid the use of its veto. It would mean the collapse of diplomatic efforts and leave only military actions,'' Mamedov told Kyodo News and some other news organizations in Tokyo.
The comments came as a U.S.-led war on Iraq looms ever larger, with U.S. President George W. Bush saying that if Washington deems it necessary, it will not hesitate to take military action without adoption of a U.N. resolution.
Russia has rejected the new resolution that would endorse the use of military force to disarm Iraq, and has threatened, along with France, to use its veto if the resolution is brought before the Security Council for a vote.
Security Council resolutions require support from at least nine of the council's 15 members. Additionally, there must be no veto from any of the five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
The new resolution, presented by the U.S., Britain and Spain, was revised Friday to give Iraq until Monday to disarm or face war.
Mamedov reiterated Moscow's opposition to a rush to war and called for U.N. weapons inspections in Iraq to continue.
''Russia is calling for continued inspections, and doesn't see the need for a new resolution,'' he said, adding that a U.S.-led assault on Iraq would ''destabilize the Middle East and the entire world.''
But in case war erupts, Russia will cooperate with the U.S. for an early settlement of the situation, he said.
''We will strive to minimize negative effects and bring the situation back to political and diplomatic arenas,'' he said.
Regarding attempts by several nations to extend the proposed deadline, Mamedov expressed opposition, saying, ''Giving days for a grace period for an ultimatum means nothing.''