In this way they want to prevent Libya from playing an important role in the Arab World and to disturb calm in the country.

It was not clear whether a halt in shipments would prevent Libya from completing the reported chemical-weapons plant.

Various pressures have prevented Iraq, South Korea, Libya, Brazil and Argentina from going ahead with their plans.

American officials say the asset freeze would prevent Libya from receiving income and dividends from the extensive investments it has made in refineries, gas stations and other industrial undertakings in Western Europe.

"Some actions were taken on a sporadic basis, ad hoc, but not nearly enough resources were devoted to it," an Administration official said of the efforts in the last year to prevent Libya from producing chemical weapons.

The three Western states maintained they had enough votes to prevent Libya from obtaining the two-thirds majority of General Assembly votes needed to win election.

Also, if the allies arm the Bosnians, it would be difficult to prevent Iran, Libya or other radical Muslim countries from sending arms, too.

But Mr. Boucher said the Bush Administration was adamantly opposed to any inspection plan, arguing that it would not prevent Libya from rapidly resuming production.

However, enough parts and knowledge were missing to prevent Libya from continuing the project.

Russia's objection to the current draft resolution is that it would prevent Libya from using its overseas assets to pay off these debts, which amount to more than $1 billion and are mainly owed for arms.