Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=7/18/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N/E-U/IRAQ (L-only)

NUMBER=2-305577

BYLINE=JENNY BADNER

DATELINE=NEW YORK

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana says a new Security Council resolution is necessary to deploy E-U forces in Iraq. Correspondent Jenny Badner reports from New York.

TEXT: Some individual European countries are contributing troops to the U-S and British-led coalition in Iraq.

But the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Javier Solana says that in order for the E-U as an entity to join a peacekeeping force in Iraq, the Security Council must first adopt a new resolution.

Mr. Solana says that measure could follow a briefing to the Security Council next week by top U-N envoy to Iraq Sergio Vieira de Mello.

/ / / SOLANA ACT / / /

If any change is going to be produced it will have to be after a change in the Security Council resolution.

/ / / END ACT / / /

Several countries, including members of the European Union, are contributing economically to humanitarian relief for Iraq. But France, India and Russia have indicated that their forces would only participate in Iraq with a bolstered U-N role.

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov has called for a new resolution before authorizing an international peacekeeping force.

The United States has asked several nations to share the post-war security effort as U-S forces in Iraq have become increasing stretched trying to restore law and order. [SIGNED]

NEB/NYC/JB/BJS/PT