The United States will soon present a new draft UN resolution on Iraq outlining steps to put hand over power to locals, while giving a bigger political role to the United Nations, according to a US official.
The resolution, which US Secretary of State Colin Powell predicted will be ready within the next few days, is intended to allay European concerns over the previous US draft which was seen as more a publicity stunt than a genuine offer to share and devolve power.
The US wants the UN Security Council to pass the resolution in time for a conference of donors to Iraq, scheduled to open in Madrid on October 23rd.
A US official, who asked not to be named, said: "We're trying to craft language that doesn't get too specific but could probably mention the constitution and elections and specifying how the United Nations would be involved. It's a response to the comments that the French have made."
The aim of the resolution from Washington's point of view is to persuade other governments to share the burden of running and rebuilding Iraq until Iraqis take over.
The United States wants foreign troops and pledges of money for reconstruction but so far offers have been meager.
The United States and Britain are providing about 140,000 of the 150,000 foreign troops in Iraq. While the Bush administration has asked Congress for $20 billion for reconstruction, others have offered about $500 million.