U.S. Must Concede More on Iraq, Says Europe

[kskiska]

Donald Rumsfeld, the US defence secretary, toured American military bases in Iraq yesterday as the diplomatic horsetrading began over Washington's attempt to persuade more of the international community to contribute soldiers and money to its occupation.

Russia joined France and Germany in rejecting a US-drafted UN resolution calling for the establishment of a multinational force in Iraq and offering the UN a larger role in the country's postwar security, political transition and reconstruction.

(snip)

Germany yesterday welcomed an offer by the US secretary of state, Colin Powell, to listen to suggested changes to the draft. But in Moscow, Mr Ivanov stressed that the situation in Iraq remained serious.

"One cannot but express surprise at statements made by some Washington officials that life in Iraq is returning to normal," he said. "The situation in Iraq is becoming not better, but worse."

more…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1036700,00.html

[mth44sc]

1. Well now

It would seem that a "smart" pResident would just call their bluff and hand the whole mess over to them. Well - that would be unless there is another agenda (ie: OIL) at work here.