Major changes proposed to draft UN resolution

Four key nations have proposed major changes to the US-British draft resolution on Iraq that would give the country’s new government control over the Iraqi army and police and require the multinational force to consult on military actions except for self-defence.

A three-page proposal by China – which diplomats said was supported in large part by Russia, France and Germany – would give the interim government that takes over on June 30 the right to decide whether foreign forces remain in the country and limit the multinational mandate to January 2005.