US SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE URGED IRAQIS ON MONDAY TO MOVE FORWARD IN CHOOSING A NEW GOVERNMENT AND PLEDGED US SUPPORT FOR 'ANY PRIME MINISTER CHOSEN BY THE IRAQIS,' ACCORDING TO DPA. SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ALONGSIDE HER BRITISH COUNTERPART, JACK STRAW, RICE SAID THAT THE COALITION WOULD SUPPORT THE CHOICES OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE IN THEIR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. SHE ADDED THAT IRAQ NEEDED TO HAVE A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING SECURITY AND DISARMING THE COUNTRY'S MILITIAS, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL TROOPS. BRITISH SECRETARY JACK STRAW AND RICE FLEW TO IRAQ FROM BRITAIN SUNDAY MORNING ON A PREVIOUSLY-UNANNOUNCED VISIT TO MEET WITH TOP IRAQI OFFICIALS AND LEADERS OF PARLIAMENTARY BLOCS. STRAW SAID THAT MORE THAN 2,000 US TROOPS AND HUNDREDS OF BRITISH TROOPS HAD BEEN KILLED AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAD BEEN SPENT BY THE US TO BRING DEMOCRACY TO IRAQ.
