Germany rules out Iraq role

US PRESIDENT George Bush’s hopes that NATO will formally agree to train Iraqi security forces took an early battering when Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder ruled out participation by German troops.

But NATO nations tentatively agreed to respond to interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi’s urgent request for military training.

NATO participation would be a boost for the US, which has sought a wider role by the alliance in Iraq. However, it falls short of earlier US hopes that NATO would deploy troops to help restore order there. Sixteen NATO members have individually sent forces as part of the US-led coalition.