Iraqi occupation pullout plan: UK general to take command of Polish zone?

The UK has proposed that when power is handed over to an Iraqi government on June 30, it is possible that a British general will take over the leading role in the zone of occupation currently under Polish command. This would not mean that the zone would be given over to British powers per se but would open the way to slowly withdrawing soldiers from Iraq. However, the issue will be discussed further during a NATO summit to be held in Istanbul next month. The USA, backed by the UK and Poland, continues to demand that NATO sends more troops to the country, a stand opposed by France, Germany and Belgium. However, it is deemed unlikely that any decisions concerning NATO's role in Iraq will be made during the upcoming summit. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 9) A.K.