Statement by NATO Secretary General

Today, NATO Ambassadors reached an initial agreement to respond positively to the request of the Iraqi Interim Government for assistance with the training of its security forces, in accordance with UN Security Resolution 1546. NATO Heads of State and Government are expected to approve this agreement at their Summit Meeting in Istanbul on June 28th, 2004.

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.