World News 05-09-2003 Britain To Send More Troops who: President Jacques Chirac what: Refuses to accept US proposals while Downing Street reviews troop numbers where: Iraq when: Yesterday snippet: "Two thousand soldiers prepared to leave for Iraq yesterday as Tony Blair denied a decision had been taken to send them," reports The Mirror. "Although no official announcement had been made last night, defence sources have revealed that commanding officers are ready for an imminent deployment to help beleaguered forces in Basra." "We need to build up Iraq`s ability to deal with its problems," says the prime minister. "Troop numbers are constantly under review and unless there is a recommendation we won`t provide extra numbers." "But Whitehall insiders say defence chiefs are to send between 1,000 and 1,500 men to Iraq`s south in the wake of increasing attacks," reports The Sun. "War wobblers France and Germany last night multiplied the problems by vowing to block a new UN resolution unless America surrenders political control of the country." Washington has reversed its position on UN involvement by drafting a new UN resolution "with the aim of getting more countries to contribute soldiers and cash to its occupation," says The Scotsman. But Jacques Chirac, the French president, and Gerhard Schröder, the German chancellor, said the US draft was not acceptable. "We are very, very far removed from having a resolution in front of us which we can agree to," says M Chirac. [... more]

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