United Nations, 14 August 2003 (RFE/RL) -- The UN Security Council may vote as early as today on a resolution that "welcomes" the U.S.-appointed Governing Council in Iraq and establishes a new UN mission in the country. The Security Council's five permanent members have agreed on the U.S.-sponsored draft resolution, which was distributed yesterday to the 10 nonpermanent Security Council members.
John Negroponte, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, said he wants a vote today. But Syrian Ambassador Mikhail Wehbe, the current Security Council president, has called for more consultations.
If approved, the resolution is seen as a key move in extending international legitimacy to the Iraqi council and possibly leading to more support for reconstruction efforts currently directed by the U.S.-led coalition.
In Iraq yesterday, two U.S. soldiers were killed and three more wounded in two separate incidents that involved the detonation of homemade explosives as their vehicles passed.
John Negroponte, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, said he wants a vote today. But Syrian Ambassador Mikhail Wehbe, the current Security Council president, has called for more consultations.
If approved, the resolution is seen as a key move in extending international legitimacy to the Iraqi council and possibly leading to more support for reconstruction efforts currently directed by the U.S.-led coalition.
In Iraq yesterday, two U.S. soldiers were killed and three more wounded in two separate incidents that involved the detonation of homemade explosives as their vehicles passed.