Security Council OKs Iraq resolution

UNITED NATIONS -- The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Thursday aimed at attracting more troops and money to help stabilize Iraq and speed its independence -- a diplomatic victory for Washington after the bitter dispute over the war.

The resolution's success hinges on whether it generates additional funds for Iraq's reconstruction at next week's donors conference in Madrid, Spain, and whether countries decide to send new forces to Iraq.

In a dramatic shift, France, Germany and Russia -- key opponents of the U.S.-led war against Iraq -- supported the resolution. But they immediately ruled out any new military or financial help, reflecting ongoing concern about the speed with which Washington would transfer authority to Iraqis.

The resolution gives U.N. authorization for a multinational force under unified command that will be led by the United States and calls for troop contributions as well as "substantial pledges" from the 191 U.N. member states at the Madrid donors conference on Oct. 23 and 24.

The 15-0 vote was a coup for Secretary of State Colin Powell, who called the outcome "a great achievement."

A day earlier, France, Russia and Germany failed to persuade the United States to include in the resolution a timetable for restoring Iraq's sovereignty. Instead, the draft calls for the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council -- in cooperating with the coalition and a U.N. representative -- to provide the Security Council by Dec. 15 with a timetable for drafting a new constitution and holding elections.

The resolution makes clear that the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq is temporary and states that "the day when Iraqis govern themselves must come quickly." It urges the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority now running the country to let Iraqis govern "as soon as practicable."