U.S. Seeks New International Troops for Iraq

By Vicky O'Hara,

Liane Hansen

Published June 27, 2004 at 12:00 AM EDT

With only five days before the beginning of an Iraqi interim government and increased United Nations presence there, the United States is scrambling to find countries willing to send forces to protect U.N. representatives. President Bush asked European Union nations for troops Friday; he is expected to repeat his requests at NATO meetings this week. Hear NPR's Liane Hansen and NPR's Vicky O'Hara.

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Vicky O'Hara

Victoria (Vicky) O'Hara is a diplomatic correspondent for NPR. Her coverage of the State Department and foreign policy issues can be heard on the award-winning Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition as well as on NPR's newscasts.

Liane Hansen

Liane Hansen has been the host of NPR's award-winning Weekend Edition Sunday for 20 years. She brings to her position an extensive background in broadcast journalism, including work as a radio producer, reporter, and on-air host at both the local and national level. The program has covered such breaking news stories as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the capture of Saddam Hussein, the deaths of Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy, Jr., and the Columbia shuttle tragedy. In 2004, Liane was granted an exclusive interview with former weapons inspector David Kay prior to his report on the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The show also won the James Beard award for best radio program on food for a report on SPAM.