Bush seeks wider NATO role in new Iraq

[CShine]

President Bush, hoping to build on momentum from a UN victory on Iraq, said Wednesday he hopes for a wider role for NATO in post-occupation Iraq. But the French immediately voiced reservations. Standing alongside British Prime Minister Tony Blair, his top ally in the war in Iraq, Bush said he and Blair discussed NATO's possible role at a breakfast meeting.

"We believe NATO ought to be involved," Bush said about the 15 NATO nations that already have forces in Iraq. "We will work with our NATO friends to at least continue the role that now exists, and hopefully expand it somewhat."

But French President Jacques Chirac, also attending this year's Group of Eight summit of powerful nations, expressed skepticism about an expanded NATO role. "I do not believe it is NATO's purpose to intervene in Iraq," he told reporters. "I have reservations vis-a-vis this initiative."

At the same time, trying to convey a new G-8 atmosphere of compromise, Chirac said, "I'm very much open to debate and discussion" about security for post-occupation Iraq. Chirac said any NATO role could only be justified "if the sovereign Iraqi government were to ask for it."

(scroll down to the second story on the link)
http://www.csmonitor.com/newsinbrief/brieflies.html#WORLD13:57%20<img%20src=

[arwalden]

1. Folks... This Is NOT A "Victory" For Bush... It's A Major Concession

and quite a departure from the go-it-alone strategery that he's been accustomed to.

This isn't something he wanted... it's something he had no other choice but to go along with and pretend as though he had wanted it all along.

Am I mistaken? Can someone give me any information that will help me to understand otherwise?

-- Allen