NATO chief confirms accord to train Iraqi forces

BRUSSELS (AFP) Jun 26, 2004
NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer confirmed Saturday that the alliance had reached a deal to train Iraqi armed forces which is expected to be approved at a summit in Istanbul next week.

"NATO heads of state and government are expected to approve this agreement at their summit meeting in Istanbul on June 28," the Dutch NATO secretary-general said in a statement.

"Allies are united in their full support for the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq and for strengthening of freedom, democracy, human rights, rule of law and security for all the Iraqi people," he said.

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