Richard Armitage

Aug. 5 –– Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, in an interview in Washington, D.C., with Al Hayat newspaper of Egypt was asked if the Saudi initiative to send troops from Islamic countries to Iraq was a genuine one. He said, “Well, I think it’s a genuine gesture on the behalf of the Saudi government. I think they’re seeking a peaceful resolution of the problems of Iraq, but I don’t see much willingness on the part of many of the governments of the region, or farther beyond, to send troops.”

He later added that there were discussions with Pakistan and Bangladesh to send troops to protect UN personnel in Iraq, but that these were continuing.

On Aug. 9, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said he had no plans to send troops to Iraq.