The UN Security Council has voted 15-0 to adopt a contentious resolution on Iraq's future, a victory for the US which sought approval for its occupation of the country. Russia, Germany and France, key opponents of the war, announced hours before Thursday's vote they would support the resolution, albeit with reservations. Syria, the last hold-out, then also came on board. With US President George Bush under pressure from the growing cost of the Iraq occupation in terms of US lives and money, the resolution encourages nations to support the occupation with troops and cash. It also asks Iraqi leaders to draw up a plan for a new constitution and elections by 15 December. After a three-way telephone conference with French President Jacques Chirac and Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said they would extend qualified support, but send no troops or extra aid to Iraq because the US-drafted resolution was still flawed. **Need for troops*** "Clearly the goal is not a piece of paper in New York," said a US official who asked not to be named. "What we hope it will accomplish is additional troops, additional money, greater assistance for the people of Iraq and unity on the Council." The United States refused to bend from its plan to have Iraq write a constitution first, then hold elections and only later gain full independence with the formation of a post-Saddam government. The resolution gives the US-appointed Iraqi Governing Council until 15 December to set a timetable for carrying out the next steps, rather than giving Iraqis sovereignty first, which the European trio had initially insisted on. **US motives*** Faced with growing hostility in Iraq, the US has been pressing for the resolution so as to pave the way for other countries to contribute troops and cash for Iraq's reconstruction. France and Germany are contributing only to a modest pledge of 232.3 US million dollars for Iraq's reconstruction from the 15-member European Union's executive commission. Chirac's spokeswoman confirmed the three countries would not send troops or money to Iraq. **Occupation Troops Kill Four Jordanians*** Meanwhile, the Qatar-based al-Jazeera TV channel reported on Thursday that four Jordanians were killed by US forces west of Baghdad. According to this report, the Jordanian car tried to avoid a checkpoint and its passengers were shot by the US troops. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Colin Powell listens to a question from the press at the State Department in Washington, October 16, 2003. (Photo by Larry Downing/Reuters)