U.S., Europe step up reconstruction efforts

UNITED NATIONS -- A new U.S. draft resolution, obtained by The Associated Press on Monday, gives Iraq's Governing Council until Dec. 15 to develop a timetable for elections and a new constitution.\nThe draft resolution was given to other members of the U.N. Security Council over the weekend and the United States will seek a vote on it this week, diplomats said.\nThe draft is the latest version of a resolution seeking international troops and money to help the U.S.-led effort to rebuild Iraq. Earlier drafts came under criticism from some European nations seeking a stronger role for the United Nations in Iraq and a speedier timetable for handing over power to Iraqis.\nAccording to the draft, the Governing Council must submit to the Security Council "a timetable and a program for the drafting of a new constitution for Iraq and for the holding of democratic elections under the constitution" by Dec. 15.