My general thought is that the reconstruction of Iraq is the US's responsibility, as the primary leader of the coalition, and so the US should be directing the rebuilding efforts - and should welcome whatever humanitarian help is offered by the UN, NATO, or even France in a supporting role.
JDG Powell Urges 'Leading Role' for U.S. After War Foreign Ministers Fail to Reach Consensus on U.N. Involvement in Rebuilding Iraq http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23892-2003Apr3.html By Glenn Kessler Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, April 4, 2003; Page A31 BRUSSELS, April 3 -- Secretary of State Colin L. Powell asserted today that the United States and its allies in the Iraq war must "play the leading role" in deciding the country's postwar future, resisting pressure from European officials who say that granting a central role to the United Nations would confer legitimacy on the U.S.-led invasion. Powell spoke after a hectic day of one-on-one meetings and joint sessions with more than a dozen foreign ministers from countries of the European Union and NATO alliance, and with Russia. The gathering, the highest-level international meeting since the war in Iraq started, was called in an attempt to deal with the sharp differences over Iraq that emerged between the United States and its key European allies before the invasion began. But despite talk of "pragmatism" and "consensus" by the foreign ministers, officials said no consensus was reached on the U.N. role, underscoring the difficult diplomatic dance the Bush administration faces as it turns its attention to the postwar period. The administration itself is still sharply divided over whether the U.N. should have a substantive or symbolic role in Iraq, and Powell's trip was intended in part to gauge European feelings on the issue. "We are still examining the proper role for the United Nations," Powell said. "I'm not surprised that there is not consensus yet because the debate and the discussion has just begun." The French foreign minister, Dominique de Villepin, who led the opposition to the Iraq war, cited France's "deep concern about the risk of divisions, the shocks between cultures and societies and religions" because of the conflict. Calling Iraq a "test for the international community," he said that after order is restored, "we believe the U.N. should have a central role to play," both politically and economically. "The United Nations is the tool of international legitimacy," de Villepin said, emphasizing the French position that the United States is waging a war that has not been sanctioned by world opinion. Powell told reporters that the United States and its partners in the war must assume the central role in rebuilding Iraq and in establishing a government there because "it was the coalition that came together and took on this difficult mission at political expense, at the expense of the treasury, the money that it costs, but at the expense of lives as well." He added: "This is not to say that we have to shut others out, and not to say that we will not work in partnership with the international community, and especially with the United Nations." Within the administration, the losing battle over winning U.N. authorization for military action in Iraq has heightened the skepticism of officials who oppose a strong U.N. role after hostilities end. The State Department favors an important role for the United Nations and other international partners after a period of U.S. military occupation. Key officials in the Pentagon and White House, however, are doubtful about the U.N.'s abilities and wary of constraints on U.S. action. The internal disputes are no secret in Europe, and several officials said they understood that this was the reason why Powell, in his presentations to his counterparts, was vague about U.S. intentions in the postwar period. U.S. and European officials described the sessions today as friendly, and many made clear they were willing to move beyond the debate over the war and turn toward the future. "We can't base European policy on criticizing America," a senior European diplomat said. "We can't base European policy on persuading the Pentagon." Europeans said they understood there would be a period of transition from a military campaign to the stabilization of the country, and that by necessity U.S. forces would have control at first. But they said they would like to see the inclusion of as many Iraqis as possible, a building of Iraqi institutions and significant involvement of the United Nations. "All these things are blindingly obvious. What is less obvious is exactly how you sequence all these arrangements," said Chris Patten, external affairs commissioner of the European Union. "I think that even if he didn't know before, the secretary of state is now very well aware of the importance which the European Union attaches to a U.N. role." Europeans also pressed for greater U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process, particularly placing more pressure on Israel. "The United States will remain deeply engaged in working with both parties," Powell said, adding that the United States "understands there will be obligations on the Israeli side." Powell indicated that the United States was interested in a NATO peacekeeping role in Iraq, much like the military alliance is moving toward directing peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan. "We've begun a discussion within NATO" about the possibility, Powell said. "The important thing is that nobody raised any objection to that possibility." Powell raced through a series of 15-minute sessions with more than a dozen foreign ministers, including several from East European countries that have been among the administration's strongest supporters of the war. Bulgaria's ambassador to NATO, Emil Valev, described the meeting with Powell as brief and positive. "He wanted to thank us. That was the general message he wanted to tell us. We didn't discuss anything in particular," Valev said. Several nations reaffirmed or extended offers of assistance. The Czech Republic's deputy foreign minister, Alexander Vondra, said his delegation offered to send 250 medical personnel, including 150 doctors, to set up a military field hospital in southern Iraq or Kuwait, to provide humanitarian aid or help injured U.S. and British troops. The Czech Parliament could vote on such an action as early as next week; already, the Czechs have deployed units to Kuwait to help defend against possible chemical and biological attacks. Staff writer Steven Gray contributed to this report. � 2003 The Washington Post Company ===== ----------------------------------------------------------------------- John D. Giorgis - [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tonight I have a message for the brave and oppressed people of Iraq: Your enemy is not surrounding your country � your enemy is ruling your country. And the day he and his regime are removed from power will be the day of your liberation." -George W. Bush 1/29/03 __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - File online, calculators, forms, and more http://tax.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
