US, UK propose troop withdrawal timetable

[CShine]

Washington and London have presented a revised UN resolution setting out a rough timetable for US-led troops to leave Iraq. At the United Nations, changes were made to a UN Security Council resolution sponsored by Britain and the United States after an outcry from other council nations about sending a clear signal that Iraq will gain full sovereignty when the US-led occupation hands over power June 30 to the interim government.

Under the new draft, obtained by AFP, the mandate of US-led troops who will remain in Iraq after this month would expire "upon completion of the political process" to create a constitutionally elected Iraqi government. But with that expected to take until late 2005 or even early 2006, it was not immediately clear if the changes would satisfy opposition to the first text led by China, France and Germany.

Washington and London had originally rejected the idea of a fixed date for the troops to leave, arguing that the uncertain security situation on the ground made it impossible to predict a time for withdrawal.

No date has yet been set for a vote on the resolution, intended to get international backing both for the newly-installed caretaker Iraqi government and the US-led multinational force that will remain.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/02/1086058902456.html