UK denies alliance row over Iraq sovereignty

[Darranar]

Britain dismissed as "complete rubbish" talk of a split in the Anglo-American alliance over how much power an imminent interim Iraqi government will have over foreign occupying troops.

UK leader Tony Blair said on Tuesday the Iraqis would have final control over foreign troops, but Secretary of State Colin Powell fired back that US forces would stay under US charge and do whatever necessary to protect themselves.

Faced with a barrage of morning headlines about divisions between London and Washington - who have seldom openly disagreed on Iraq since last year's war - UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said: "It's complete rubbish".

Prescott said London and Washington's statements boiled down to two non-conflicting elements: Iraqis having control over foreign troops after 30 June, except when those troops were attacked.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/6EC3B1A7-3DE4-4DC5-AC52-DC4A513D8CCB.htm