ISTANBUL - NATO heads of state and government are going to take a decision on extending support to the Iraqi government in the area of training its security forces, sources said on Monday.
NATO heads of state and government are expected to release a final declaration on Iraq during their Istanbul summit. The draft declaration encourages heads of state and government of 26 member to contribute in this matter.
The draft will become final after being ratified today.
Leaders also ask the North Atlantic Council (NAC), the highest political decision-making body of NATO, to urgently set a method to put into practice this decision.
NATO heads of state and government consider that a step in this direction will be a positive response to the demand made by Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad al-Alawi.
The draft supports Iraqi interim government and refers to the United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution adopted unanimously on June 8 and calling for support to transfer of sovereignty to Iraqi people.
Countries willing to train Iraqi security forces will inform NATO about how they would help and NATO will undertake the role of coordination. There are currently troops from 16 NATO members in Iraq.
Germany is training Iraqi police force in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while Poland assumes the training of the Iraqi troops.
The United States and Britain are also training Iraqi security forces.
(BRC-ULG) 28.06.2004