WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage lauded NATO's role in Iraq, adding he'd be happy if the alliance took up more jobs in the country.
"I'd be delighted if there were other aspects in Iraq that NATO would be willing to take up," he told reporters from NATO nations earlier this week. "I don't think we have anything to lay before our friends in Brussels."
The U.S. State Department released the transcript of the interview Friday.
NATO agreed recently to train Iraqi security personnel east of Baghdad. That agreement followed a conference in Turkey more than two months ago.
"We're awfully happy and gratified that this training mission has been accepted fully by all members of the alliance," Armitage said.
Some members of NATO, including France and Germany, which opposed the war in Iraq, were initially reluctant to allow the alliance to enter Iraq.
