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U.N. council mulls Iraq measure elements

UNITED NATIONS, May 6 (UPI) -- U.N. Security Council members held an informal meeting Thursday on elements for a new resolution to be proposed for after the return of Iraq's sovereignty.

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The U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority occupying Iraq for the last year has promised to return sovereignty June 30.

Council members met at the British mission to the United Nations to discuss aspects of a new draft resolution to cover the period after sovereignty.

Such questions as a role for the United Nations, a U.N.-endorsed multinational force to replace the occupying forces, its status in the country and the status of detainees held by the coalition, especially after the Abu Ghraib prison scandal and the United States' recent declaration it was going to maintain control of thousands of detainees.

There also is a need to make adjustments, recognizing previous council resolutions, such as the authorization for the arms embargo.

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"It's just a brainstorming session," said one of the council diplomats before the meeting, explaining no draft resolution was expected to emerge from the private session, designed to just collect ideas.


Hill Dems call for Rumsfeld resignation

WASHINGTON, May 6 (UPI) -- Hill Democrats Thursday called for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld amid mounting criticism over the treatment of Iraqi prisoners.

Both Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California have called for the resignation of the embattled defense secretary.

"I think Mr. Rumsfeld should resign," Pelosi told reporters.

Rumsfeld in being criticized by members of both parties for not divulging to Congress the bad treatment of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of some U.S. soldiers that came to light last week and by Democrats for the poor state of security in the country.

He faces Senate questioning on the issues Friday.

House Republicans lashed out at Democratic criticism of the handling of Iraq by the Bush administration by Pelosi and from respected Democratic hawk Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, who said that the war may be unwinnable without more U.S. troops and greater mobilization of military abilities, something he questioned whether the American public had the will to do.

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House Majority Leader Tom Delay, R-Texas, told reporters that Democrats were "appeasing partisans" that were looking to use the Iraq situation for political gain in a way that undermined the U.S. military leadership and troops in Iraq doing a good job.

"I am not questioning their patriotism, don't let them play that game again," said DeLay. "I am questioning their judgment and ability to lead."


American center in Islamabad closed

WASHINGTON, D.C., Pakistan, May 6 (UPI) -- The American center in Islamabad has been closed indefinitely following a high security alert in Pakistan, officials said Thursday.

Officials at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad told reporters that the center's staff has been moved to the embassy building in the diplomatic enclave. The center is located inside the city.

Americans diplomats have also been advised to restrict their movements and to keep the embassy informed.

Meanwhile, the Australian Embassy in Islamabad has closed its visa section and stopped all public dealings.

The embassy said its decision also was related to the security alert.

The embassy staff has been asked to park its cars inside the building while Pakistani citizens have been advised not to visit the embassy as long as the security alert is enforced.

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Pakistan declared a security alert Tuesday following reports that al-Qaida terrorists may try to attack Pakistani and Western targets.

And on Wednesday, Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali said Pakistan has received an intelligence tip, warning that a group of four or five terrorists may try to hijack a Pakistan plane and crash it in the United Arab Emirates.


Hastert promises oil for food inquiry

WASHINGTON, May 6 (UPI) -- U.S. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., said Thursday that congressional probes into the U.N.'s Iraqi oil-for-food program would continue.

Congress, Hastert said, would continue to probe allegations that more than $10 billion was diverted from the U.N.'s Iraqi oil-for-food program into Hussein's coffers, a portion of which may have then been used to provide what Hastert called, "kickbacks in exchange for political cover from politicians in countries like France and Russia."

"There seems to be a correlation between this sweet heart deal and opposition to Operation Iraqi Freedom," Hastert said.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has authorized an "independent high level inquiry" into the charges.

"I hope the U.N. conducts a thorough investigation because they have a responsibility to the Iraqi people and the world community to answer these charges," Hastert said in a radio actuality released by his office.

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The U.N. Security Council created the oil for food program in December 1996 to permit the sale of Iraqi oil in exchange for humanitarian relief for the Iraqi people.

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