Iraq 'to recognise Kuwait' in move to ease sanctions

IRAQ last night agreed to recognise Kuwait, four years after the Gulf war, under a new package of conditions negotiated by Russia.

The conditions must be agreed by the United Nations Security Council and particularly by the United States. There was strong hope in Baghdad last night that the deal could lead to the lifting of economic sanctions against Iraq. Broadly, President Saddam Hussein offered to recognise Kuwait as a sovereign state if the UN promises to ease sanctions after six months. Until now the US has demanded that Iraq recognise Kuwait's sovereignty unconditionally.

The proposal arranged by the Russian Foreign Minister, Andrei Kozyrev, has been carefully balanced, with both Russia and Iraq clearly hoping it will win wide Security Council support.

The West's dilemma, 14, 15