Bush calls for Nato role in Iraq
The US wants to bolster the coalition in the face of violent unrest in Iraq
US President George W Bush has called for the Nato alliance to become more involved in Iraq after the 30 June handover of sovereignty.
The call came after the unanimous UN Security Council vote for a UK and US-backed resolution on Iraq on Tuesday.
Mr Bush said that while many Nato members were part of the US-led coalition in Iraq he felt the alliance's role could be expanded.
Nato currently has no formal role in the occupation of Iraq.
'Overstretched'
Mr Bush made the statement at the G8 summit in the US state of Georgia, where he is meeting, among others, the French and German leaders.
We will work with our Nato friends to at least continue the role that now exists and hopefully expand it somewhat
George W Bush
"We believe Nato ought to be involved," Mr Bush said after a breakfast meeting with Mr Blair outside the G8 summit venue.
"We will work with our Nato friends to at least continue the role that now exists and hopefully expand it somewhat," he said.
France and Germany are key members of Nato, and as recently as April, turned down a request for a greater Nato role in Iraq on the grounds that the alliance was already overstretched in the Balkans and Afghanistan.
In other developments:
Clashes between US forces and Iraqi militants at Karma, outside the Sunni city of Falluja, leave at least four Iraqis dead
Three Italian hostages return from Iraq to a hero's welcome in Italy, about six weeks after a fourth Italian was beheaded by the captors
Polish Deputy Defence Minister Janusz Zemke says six European soldiers - from Slovakia, Poland and Latvia - killed at Suwaira on Tuesday were probably hit in a mortar attack
Kurds unhappy
Earlier Mr Bush called the passing of the UN resolution a "great victory" for Iraq, while UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said rebels there now faced a "united world".
The plan formalises ties between Iraq's future government and foreign forces.
REVISED RESOLUTION
Sets 30 June 2004 as date for end of occupation and dissolution of the Coalition Provisional Authority
Envisages direct democratic elections to a Transitional National Assembly no later than 31 January 2005
Provides for "full partnership between Iraqi forces and the multinational force"
Acknowledges need to confer on "sensitive offensive operations"
Firmly places Iraqi security forces under Iraqi control
Iraq resolution: Key points
Have your say: Resolution
Resolution focuses G8 minds
It was adopted after many revisions by the 15-member Security Council, where opposition to the US-led invasion of Iraq has been strong.
Resolution 1546 sets out the powers and constraints for the new interim Iraqi government, due to take power from the US administration on 30 June.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said in New York that the resolution put an end to "occupation".
The BBC's Susannah Price reports from the UN that there is an atmosphere of relief at the Security Council about the unanimous agreement.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said he detected a "genuine expression of the will of the international community... to come together again after last year's divisions" and Iraqis to resume control of their own political destiny.
However, a potential obstacle surfaced when Kurdish leaders in the interim Iraqi government threatened to resign, saying a future Shia-led administration could take away their right to self-rule.
The interim constitution adopted in March recognised a level of autonomy for the Kurdish provinces in the north of Iraq - but the Kurds are complaining that the UN resolution does not endorse that position.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3791377.stm
