Irish car salesmen set to invade Iraq

FORGET ceasefires and free elections. The real sign of peace to come to Iraq could well be in the form of an Irish car salesman.

Recruitment is underway for persuasive types to go to the Middle East to sell cars and motorbikes to American troops stationed at military bases. And the next market being eyed up is Saddam Hussein's former fiefdom.

The recruitment drive, running in Dublin this week, is for US company Overseas Military Sales Corporation (OMS), which works in many countries, including Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan.