US Senate Passes Iraq, Iran Resolutions

The U.S. Senate has approved a resolution urging the creation of a loose, centralized system of government for Iraq. The resolution, which passed Wednesday by a vote of 75 to 23, calls for a political settlement that would essentially divide Iraq into three ethnic, semi-autonomous regions controlled by Sunnis, Shi'ites and Kurds.

The central government in Baghdad would protect Iraq's borders and distribute oil revenues among the regions.

The measure was introduced by Delaware's Joseph Biden, who is seeking next year's Democratic presidential nomination. He says the plan offers a practical solution in Iraq that could allow U.S. troops to eventually leave that country. The resolution attracted the support of 26 Republican senators, but is non-binding on President Bush.

The Senate also passed a non-binding resolution Wednesday urging the State Department to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a foreign terrorist organization. The resolution was co-sponsored by Connecticut's Joe Lieberman, who dismissed criticism from some Democrats that it authorizes military force against Tehran. - VOA News