U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said in Tokyo on Sunday that he expects the United Nations Security Council to vote on a new resolution for Iraq in early March.
Powell wants the vote on the resolution, drafted by the U.S. and Britain, to come "shortly after" March 7, when U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix is due to submit a report to the council.
Powell called on Japan to express support when the resolution is submitted early this week. He also asked Tokyo to continue diplomatic efforts to persuade members of the U.N. Security Council to side with the U.S.