US plays down hopes for int'l troops in Iraq

17 October 2003, 18:00 PM

AFP, Aboard Air Force One

The United States on Thursday played down prospects that more international troops would deploy to Iraq, despite the UN Security Council's unanimous approval of a new resolution.

"To the degree that countries are able to do this, to send troops, this helps them to be able to do it," a senior administration official told reporters on board President George W. Bush's airplane, which was headed to Asia.

"Now the truth of the matter is there's not much combat power in the world. There are a lot of countries that have concerns, restrictions that would probably minimize their ability to participate," the official said.

The new resolution "does at least open up the possibility of countries now starting their domestic considerations of whether or not they would be able to send troops."

The UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution on Thursday that appeals for international troops to join the US led force seeking to bring order in Iraq and to contribute money toward the country's reconstruction.

Asked how long it could take for international troops to deploy, the official said: "Not right away. This is going to take a little bit of time. But I think we will get help."

The official also said that discussions were underway to ease the concerns of the US-appointed Iraqi Governing Council over Turkey's decision to deploy troops.