US may accept UN force in Iraq
The United States has for the first time suggested that it may accept a UN-mandated multinational force in Iraq.
As Britain and America try to work out a new UN resolution to involve other countries such as India and Japan in the policing and rebuilding of Iraq, US deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage told journalists that one idea being considered was a multinational force under UN leadership.
However Mr Armitage was quick to emphasise that although decision-making would be ‘widened’ America would remain in command.
This announcement comes as the US admitted that rebuilding Iraq’s shattered infrastructure will cost tens of billions of dollars.
America’s administrator in Iraq, Paul Bremer, said that the cost of restoring essential services like electricity and water is ‘almost impossible to exaggerate’.
The rebuilding of Iraq is being constantly hampered by attacks on international forces, another of which claimed a British life yesterday.
A British soldier was killed and another injured as soldiers returned to base after a raid on Ali al-Gharbi yesterday evening.
A military spokesman stated that two crowds used small arms and rocket-propelled grenades to attack the soldiers who became trapped between them.
After soldiers fired warning shots the crowd fired at the troops and killed one soldier before the unit arrested ten men as they withdrew with the injured man who is said to be stable, and receiving medical attention for a wound to his hand.
Rapid response forces responded to the incident and covered their return to their base at al-Mara, north of Basra.
