NATO Makes Progress on Iraq Mission Plans

[Barrett808]

NATO Makes Progress on Iraq Mission Plans
By PAUL GEITNER, Associated Press Writer

BRUSSELS, Belgium - France dropped its objection to having a NATO training mission inside Iraq but refused Thursday to accept Washington's demand that its commander be an American.

A French diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the issue as the "last hitch" holding up agreement on the mission at NATO headquarters.

After two days of debate, NATO officials said they were optimistic the 26 NATO countries would reach a consensus by Friday on how the training both inside and outside Iraq would proceed. Ambassadors broke up Thursday night but planned to resume meeting early Friday.

"We are very close," a NATO official said.

Acknowledging that Washington was unlikely to back down on its demand for an American commander, Paris suggested postponing that aspect of the decision.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040729/ap_on_re_mi_ea/nato_iraq&cid=540&ncid=1480

[The Crazy Canadian]

1. While they debate on details, Iraq is going down in flames.

Putting NATO or even UN troops in Iraq will do nothing to improve the situation. Pull-out and let the Iraqis deal with it.

[necso]

2. Just more BS.

NATO is never going to intervene in Iraq in a substantive way -- never.

But a "training" mission allows Bush$Co to claim success in bringing NATO into the conflict.

What a complete load!

Bush$Co must be exerting tremendous pressure on our NATO allies --- there will be a heavy price to pay for this in the future.