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Bush Goes to the U.N.

Last Tuesday, President George W. Bush delivered a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. The President urged its members to provide peacekeeping troops and financial support to Iraq.

"The United Nations can contribute greatly to the cause of Iraq self-government," Bush said.

The President had hoped the speech would inspire other nations to provide as many as 15,000 troops. There are about 130,000 U.S. forces in Iraq, supported by a few thousand soldiers from Britain and other U.S. allies.

Bush's call for help met with resistance. As of Friday, the U.N. Security Council was debating a measure to aid U.S. efforts in Iraq. World leaders disagree with Bush over when Iraq should return to self-rule.

Last week, Secretary of State Colin Powell said the U.S. would like Iraqi leaders to create a new constitution within six months. That would pave the way for elections and give "authority over Iraq to the Iraqi people."

Despite calls for more U.N. involvement, on Thursday, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan ordered reductions in the U.N. staff in Iraq. The U.N. promised the staff would be increased when security improves.

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