A 'no' vote by any of the five permanent Security Council members -- France, Russia, China, Britain and the United States -- amounts to an automatic veto. . ... 'Russia believes that no further resolutions of the U.N. Security Council are necessary,' Foreign Minister Igor..…

Russia, also a veto-wielding permanent member, echoed that view. . Fearing defeat in the Security Council, Britain -- apparently with the administration's reluctant acquiescence -- raced to offer compromises that might induce the uncommitted members to vote in favor of military action. ..…