US to lose more occupation support
Saturday 24 April 2004, 9:06 Makka Time, 6:06 GMT
Powell aims to maintain semblance of international occupation
Faced with an eroding occupation force, the United States has said it
hopes several nations will keep troops in Iraq past their July
deadline for withdrawal.
But Norway rejected the appeal on Saturday, indicating its 180 troops
would leave after an American-backed interim Iraqi government takes
power on 30 June.
Foreign Minister Jan Petersen said: "We must follow our original plan,
of a commitment until the summer."
In the face of worsening violence, three countries - Spain, Honduras
and the Dominican Republic - have announced they are pulling out their
troops, totalling roughly 2000.
And occupation strength could crumble further because several nations
have committed only to staying until the US occupiers transfer power
to a selected Iraqi government.
US request
In interviews with media from occupation allies on Friday, Secretary
of State Colin Powell acknowledged Norway, the Netherlands and El
Salvador - who have almost 2000 troops in Iraq - may not be in Iraq
after 1 July.
Powell said a new UN resolution the US was drafting may persuade some
nations to extend their tours of duty.
"With a new UN resolution it might be possible for Norway to take
another look at the contribution they have made to this effort and
perhaps make another contribution or extend the stay."
Coming resolution
The resolution is in response to governments' requests that the UN
role in Iraq and the international community's relationship with the
interim government be made clear.
Washington hopes to slow
international retreat from Iraq
The US claims it is transferring sovereignty to Iraqis on 30 June.
But critics of the plan say Iraq will remain under American occupation
because US troops will be outside the control of the interim
government.
The forces from most occupation supporters are minimal compared with
the 135,000 American troops in Iraq, but their symbolism is large.
Bush unconcerned
During an election campaign stop in Florida on Friday, Bush indicated
he was not ultimately concerned what other nations did when it comes
to occupying Iraq.
"We're working closely with our friends and allies who understand the
stakes.
"But let me make this very clear to you: I will never allow leaders of
other nations to determine the national security issues of America,"
he said.
The United States invaded Iraq without explicit authority from the UN
and over the objections of major allies.
But it has stressed that its initial invasion and occupation force of
more than 30 nations contributing troops showed international support
for the war.
.
|
