Straw outlines Iraq power transfer

[hussar]

The needs of the Iraqi people and not an "arbitrary timetable" must govern how power is transferred in Iraq, UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has told the United Nations.

In his speech to the Security Council in New York on Thursday, Mr Straw said he hoped the UN would be able to agree a resolution on the future government of Iraq.

In the wake of the council's rifts over the Iraq war, the foreign secretary defended the decision to invade - saying it had upheld the authority of the UN and sent the right message to dictators.

Earlier, Mr Straw said he remained hopeful weapons of mass destruction would be found in Iraq, despite a Bush administration source alleging none had yet been uncovered.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3140742.stm

[wellst0nev0ter]

1. Shorter Jack Straw

"The Iraqis don't need an arbitrary timetable, for it will only provoke the terrorists. What the Iraqis need is a kinder, gentler dictatorship."