BAGHDAD, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Despite pleas from the United States, the United Nations and the Red Cross will scale back their presence in Iraq, the Washington Post reported Thursday.
The agencies have both suffered bomb attacks on their headquarters in Baghdad.
U.N. officials said Secretary-General Kofi Annan had decided to withdraw all 15 remaining international staff members from Baghdad. Annan discussed his decision with Secretary of State Colin Powell, who argued against the withdrawal.
Powell told reporters Monday he expected the United Nations, the Red Cross and other civilian organizations to reassess their security needs in light of the attacks but said he hoped they "can find it appropriate to stay. ... If they are driven out, then the terrorists win."
The International Committee of the Red Cross also announced it would withdraw some of its 30 foreign staff members in Iraq. The organization said, however, it would continue operations in Iraq.
The relief organization Doctors Without Borders said Wednesday it also would reduce its foreign staff and move to Amman, Jordan.
