Iraq to seek control of foreign troops

[Judi Lynn]

Iraq to seek control of foreign troops


By SHAWN McCARTHY
Friday, June 4, 2004 - Page A14


UNITED NATIONS -- Iraq's Foreign Minister told the UN Security Council yesterday that the recently appointed interim government will insist on exercising ultimate control over foreign forces in the country, but warned members against demanding an early deadline for a withdrawal of U.S.-led forces.

Hoshyar Zebari briefed the 15 council members on the intentions of the new interim government, named this week by UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi in consultation with the United States. He said Iraqis want clear language guaranteeing they are assuming full sovereignty and authority for running the country after the June 30 handover.

"This means investing full authority in the interim government to run Iraq's affairs, make its own decisions and have authority over Iraq's security matters," Mr. Zebari told the ambassadors.
(snip)

The current resolution, which the United States is hoping to have passed next week, would give a mandate for the multinational force that would not have a specific deadline but would extend until a democratically elected government is installed, a time frame now expected to extend to January of 2006.
(snip/...)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040604/IRAQ04/TPInternational/Americas

[saigon68]

1. two chances of this happening

ZERO AND NEVER