Fijian troops may signal expansion

The Associated Press

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UNITED NATIONS — The deployment of about 130 Fijian troops to Iraq next month to protect U.N. staff and facilities could lead to an expanded U.N. operation ahead of elections in January, if security conditions permit, the United Nations said yesterday.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan pulled all U.N. international staff out of Iraq a year ago, after two bombings at U.N. headquarters in Baghdad and attacks on humanitarian workers.

To help prepare for elections, Iraq has been pressing for more U.N. experts, but the United Nations has been stymied because its request for countries to provide troops for a separate U.N. protection force and for specially trained guard units received no offers — except recently from Fiji.

The small U.N. staff now in Baghdad is protected by coalition troops, who will be replaced by Fijians. Last week, Australia announced it would provide training, equipment and logistical support for the Fijian troops and would help with their deployment.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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