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The South Pacific island nation of Fiji has become the first to offer troops for a special protection force for United Nations personnel in Iraq. The United Nations remains reluctant to re-commit staff to Iraq, following last year's deadly bombing of its Baghdad offices.
Fiji will send 130 soldiers to Iraq, possibly as early as next month. The troops will man protective security details for U.N. staff and a guard unit for the protection of U.N. facilities in Baghdad.
The announcement came after months of recruitment efforts by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
The world body pulled all staff out of Iraq last year after 23 staffers were killed in bomb attacks on Baghdad headquarters. Since then, 35 have been redeployed to Iraq, six of them helping to prepare for elections planned for January
U.N. spokeswoman Marie Okabe said there is no way to know when, or if, those staff levels will be increased.
"This is a security situation that we monitor daily around the clock," she said. "We can't unfortunately give you a snapshot of how it is one day over another."
Ms. Okabe said Australia would provide much of the equipment and training for the Fijian soldiers. But Australian officials earlier turned down a request from the secretary-general for a manpower contribution to the especially dedicated U.N. security contingent.
Australia is part of the U.S.-led multinational force in Iraq.
Iraqi officials have appealed repeatedly for more U.N. staff and more international troop contributions to help in election preparations. Spokeswoman Okabe says Secretary-General Annan is planning to boost the U.N. presence as conditions permit.
"Obviously there is constant planning done to help support the Iraqi election process, and we're doing everything possible to try to get as much support that we think is necessary," she added.
Ms. Okabe said a deal is being negotiated whereby a contingent of U.S. troops in Iraq will be detailed to provide perimeter security and escorts for U.N. staff. The U.S.-led multinational force currently is responsible for protecting the small U.N. group. | 
