Latest U.S. Moves on Iraq Win Mixed Reviews From Other Countries

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Latest U.S. Moves on Iraq Win Mixed Reviews From Other Countries
By Pamela Sampson
Associated Press Writer

PARIS (AP) - France said the U.S. blueprint on post-occupation Iraq "needs improvements," but the plan was praised as a good start Tuesday by Germany and China, two longtime critics of the U.S. war in Iraq. <snip>

The new government "will be credible only if it has real powers," (French Foreign Minister) Barnier told the French newspaper Le Figaro. <snip>

Iraq's U.S.-appointed leaders strongly criticized the U.S. plan, complaining it did not give them enough authority over Iraqi armed forces.<snip>

On Monday, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said a new Iraqi government must be allowed to make decisions on security and economic policy once sovereignty is restored. <snip>

Germany has called for the creation of a (Iraqi) National Security Council on which Iraqi officials would have a seat, enabling them to prevent major military operations they oppose. British officials say such a body may be created in talks with the new government, once it is formed.