The six undecided members of the U.N. Security Council weighed delaying a deadline for Iraqi compliance to April 17, a month later than demanded in a U.S.-British-Spanish draft resolution, diplomats said on Monday. But Pakistan's U.N. ambassador, Munir Akram, said this was not yet a common position, with some of the six wanting a shorter and others seeking a longer extension.

If the six were to agree on a compromise plan, this could interfere with U.S. hopes for a vote this week on a draft resolution that would give Baghdad until March 17 to fully cooperate with U.N. disarmament demands or face war.

In addition to Pakistan, the undecided members include Angola, Guinea, Cameroon, Mexico and Chile. Without their support, the U.S.-backed proposal would not reach the minimum nine votes required for adoption.

Both the American and British U.N. ambassadors, John Negroponte and Jeremy Greenstock, said they hoped for a vote before the end of the week. But one would not take place as early as Tuesday, as the two countries at one time had wanted.

Britain might be willing to consider extending the March 17 ultimatum, although not by much, Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman said on Monday.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told Parliament, "We are examining whether a list of defined tests for Iraqi compliance would be useful in helping the council come to a judgment."

Greenstock said he had no instructions to change the draft resolution but his country was open to discuss any proposals.

Guinea's U.N. ambassador, Mamady Traore, said he has been meeting with the wavering council members since Saturday in search of a proposal acceptable to the entire council.

The six wavering nations met again on Monday afternoon, and Traore said they would continue to do so.

Mexico and Chile have also publicly acknowledged in recent days their desire for additional diplomacy.

Chile's president Ricardo Lagos told Chilean radio on Saturday that weapons inspectors should have more time to assure Iraqi disarmament. "Is it possible to achieve that by March 17? No, that would be very difficult," Lagos said.

Other Key Developments Concerning Iraq

*Russia and France, which both hold veto power on the Security Council, said they would vote down the U.S.-British-backed resolution setting a March 17 ultimatum for Saddam Hussein. Russia left open the possibility of approving an amended proposal.

*_ French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin flew to Africa to persuade Angola, Guinea and Cameroon to reject the resolution. President Bush made an urgent round of phone calls to world leaders, trying to salvage the measure.

*_ Secretary of State Colin Powell voiced alarm over the U.N. inspector's report that Iraq has unmanned drone aircraft capable of dispensing chemical weapons. Chief U.N. weapons inspectors Hans Blix later told the council that the drone did not constitute a "smoking gun." Blix said it should have been included in the country's December weapons declaration, but added that there was no indication yet that the unmanned vehicle was illegal.

*_ Pakistan said it would not support the resolution but didn't make clear if the country would vote no or abstain.

*_ U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan warned the United States it would be in violation of the United Nations charter if it attacked Iraq without Security Council approval.

*_ Chief U.N. nuclear inspector Mohammed ElBaradei said he would send an Arab delegation with a message to Saddam this week, suggesting several changes in attitude to avert a war. "The next two weeks will be decisive and the ball is still in the Iraqi court," he told a Saudi-owned newspaper.

*_ Iraq urged U.N. Security Council members to stand up to Washington's "bloodthirsty whims" and oppose the March 17 deadline.

*_ A senior Iraqi Information Ministry official said Iraq was destroying more banned Al Samoud 2 missiles, crushing six of them. Iraq has destroyed 46 of the missiles, almost half of its original arsenal.

*_ Turkey's governing party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan won a seat in parliament by a huge margin, a crucial victory that opens the way for him to become prime minister and strengthens his hand in uniting the government behind deployment of U.S. troops for an Iraq war.

*_ Five Iraqi diplomats were expelled from Romania for "activities incompatible with their status," diplomatic jargon for spying.

PHOTO CAPTION

The six undecided members of the U.N. Security Council weighed delaying a deadline for Iraqi compliance to April 17, a month later than demanded in a U.S.-British-Spanish draft resolution, diplomats said on March 10, 2003. (Peter Morga