IRAQ ROUNDUP | Latest developments
U.N. RESOLUTION: Facing resistance from key countries, President Bush is trying to line up support for a U.N. resolution seeking to set the stage for stability in Iraq.
Bush called German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Memorial Day, urging that the two nations work together on the U.S.- and British-backed resolution, the White House said.
An approach to the U.N. resolution spearheaded by China and supported by Germany, France and Russia would bolster the sovereign powers of the Iraqi interim government and extend far greater authority than the resolution introduced to the U.N. Security Council a week ago by Britain and the United States.
The proposed revisions would give the new government control of the Iraqi army and police and require the multinational force to consult on military actions except for self-defense.
Under the ideas backed by Germany and the other countries, the interim government that takes over on June 30 would have the right to decide whether foreign forces remain in the country and limit the multinational mandate to January 2005.
SOLDIERS KILLED: A U.S. Marine assigned to 1st Marine Expeditionary Force has been killed in action in western Iraq, the military said today. The Marine died Monday while on a patrol and security operation in the Anbar province. The area includes such insurgent strongholds as Fallujah, Ramadi and Qaim on the border. The name of the slain Marine was withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Two American soldiers died in Iraq as U.S. troops clashed with Shiite militiamen in fighting that appeared to mark the unraveling of a cease-fire called last week around the holy cities of Kufa and Najaf.
Associated Press
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