26 April 2004 -- The United States has called on the United Nations Security Council to adopt a new resolution aimed at enlisting additional foreign troops for Iraq.
Secretary of State Colin Powell made the appeal in Washington today.
"In order to expand the number of contributors to provide troops to Iraq and other support to Iraq, a new UN resolution would be quite appropriate and proper as we get closer to transferring sovereignty," Powell said.
The U.S.-led coalition is scheduled to hand over sovereignty to the Iraqis on 1 July.
Powell also said that Washington would expect the new government in Iraq to invite security forces to stay in the country and to encourage others to come.
The United States has about 130,000 troops in Iraq. They are facing an insurgency a year after it was announced that major military operations were concluded.
The White House said today that U.S. President George W. Bush spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the administration's drive for a new UN resolution.
Putin's telephone call today came as Bush flew from Washington, D.C., to Minnesota for a speech and fundraiser.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said only that the two leaders "talked about the importance of a new United Nations Security Council resolution."
Putin's press service said he and Bush discussed the situation in Iraq and the Middle East.
(RFE/RL and AP)
"In order to expand the number of contributors to provide troops to Iraq and other support to Iraq, a new UN resolution would be quite appropriate and proper as we get closer to transferring sovereignty," Powell said.
The U.S.-led coalition is scheduled to hand over sovereignty to the Iraqis on 1 July.
Powell also said that Washington would expect the new government in Iraq to invite security forces to stay in the country and to encourage others to come.
The United States has about 130,000 troops in Iraq. They are facing an insurgency a year after it was announced that major military operations were concluded.
The White House said today that U.S. President George W. Bush spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the administration's drive for a new UN resolution.
Putin's telephone call today came as Bush flew from Washington, D.C., to Minnesota for a speech and fundraiser.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said only that the two leaders "talked about the importance of a new United Nations Security Council resolution."
Putin's press service said he and Bush discussed the situation in Iraq and the Middle East.
(RFE/RL and AP)