Powell Asks U.N. for More Help in Iraq
By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer
UNITED NATIONS - Secretary of State Colin Powell on Wednesday said the United Nations (news - web sites) and the European Union were ready to help ensure that Iraq holds elections for a parliament by January by providing financial and expert support.
"Obviously, security is a problem," Powell said at a news conference after a meeting with European Union officials and conversations this week with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
But, Powell said, "we intend for elections to be held."
He said the European Union was offering financial support to U.N. elections experts in Iraq and "the (U.N.) secretary general made it clear that he wants to scale up the size of his team."
But, Powell said, "the issue is how to make sure that this larger team will have the necessary security and protections so it can do its work."
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Powell, at a news conference, dismissed suggestions that recent violence in Iraq would derail the parliamentary elections. "It is reasonable, it is feasible, it is the goal," Powell said of balloting by the end of the year or January at the latest.
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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040922/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq&cid=542&ncid=1480So, it was impossible to hold early elections after the invasion, but it's "feasible" now?