New U.S. Iraq resolution gives Governing Council until Dec. 15 to set elections timetable

<br>UNITED NATIONS (AP) _ A new U.S. draft resolution, obtained by The Associated Press, gives Iraq's Governing Council until Dec. 15 to develop a timetable for elections and a new constitution. <br><br>The

Monday, October 13th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

UNITED NATIONS (AP) _ A new U.S. draft resolution, obtained by The Associated Press, gives Iraq's Governing Council until Dec. 15 to develop a timetable for elections and a new constitution.

The draft resolution, which AP obtained Monday, was given to other members of the U.N. Security Council over the weekend and the United States will seek a vote on it this week, diplomats said.

The draft is the latest version of a resolution seeking international troops and money to help the U.S.-led effort to rebuild Iraq. Earlier drafts came under criticism from some European nations seeking a stronger role for the United Nations in Iraq and a speedier timetable for handing over power to Iraqis.

According to the draft, the Governing Council must submit to the Security Council ``a timetable and a program for the drafting of a new constitution for Iraq and for the holding of democratic elections under the constitution'' by Dec. 15.

Earlier drafts of the resolution had not mentioned any timetable for elections or a new constitution, and the deadline was likely a key concession to other members of the 15-nation Security Council.