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Diplomats at U.N. Discuss Iraq Proposal
Opponents and supporters of a U.S.-proposed resolution to get more troops and money into Iraq grappled with the key divisive issues Friday - how to quickly restore Iraq’s sovereignty and how large the U.N.’s role should be in rebuilding the country. The United States welcomed the ``good discussion’’ at the first informal meeting of the 15 Security Council members. In contrast to the acrimonious debate in the council before the war, virtually all council ambassadors said the session was much more open to give-and-take.
Wonder who was doing which?
France and Germany, which opposed the war, are conditioning their approval of the resolution on a more rapid transition of power from Iraq’s U.S.-picked Governing Council to a new government elected by Iraqis. But both said they believed a compromise was possible - and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Friday he was ``optimistic’’ one could be reached.
Jack is always optimistic.
``There’s a lot of work to do still,’’ said Germany’s U.N. Ambassador Gunter Pleuger. ``But this meeting ... was in a very constructive mood, and I think there was no confrontation whatsoever. You could feel that every member of the council wanted to make a contribution that would add to the significance, and to the effectiveness of that resolution.’’
I’m sure the Guyanan delegation contributed significantly.
``I think things are moving forward relatively well,’’ said Chile’s U.N. Ambassador Heraldo Munoz. ``That’s why I’m moderately optimistic that we’ll get an agreement.’’ U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he suggested that foreign ministers of the five veto-wielding council nations meet with him ``to explore a common ground and the way forward.’’ He expressed hope in a CNN interview that such a meeting ``will take place in the not too distant future.’’
Ah no, that would be 3 ganging up on 2.
Britain, which holds the Security Council presidency this month, said all members agreed to work for a united approach that would encourage the restoration of Iraq’s independence and help create ``a successful Iraq in political, economic and security terms.’’ Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov gave cautious approval to the resolution Friday, but reaffirmed Russia’s push for a quick restoration of Iraq’s sovereignty, adding that the draft will need ``serious work’’ to win approval.
Thus trying to have it both ways -- "we support it but it won’t pass without work".
After Friday’s meeting, Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Sergey Lavrov stressed that sovereignty must be restored ``within a very specific timeframe, and that this must be done in a way which involves the Iraqis, which involves the United Nations, and which is endorsed by the Security Council.’’
Timeframe: when they’re ready.
The United States was clearly taking a softer stance than it has on previous Iraq-related issues that have come before the council. U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte stressed the resolution was only ``a working draft’’ and his boss in Washington, Secretary of State Colin Powell, offered to ``adjust and adapt’’ the text. But in a swipe at France and Germany, he told reporters, ``If you would like to see something different, make a proposal in addition to an editorial comment.’’
"Just so we know what we’re shooting at towards."
Negroponte said the resolution was a way forward because it focused on ``the rapid restoration of full sovereignty to Iraq.’’ However, the draft resolution doesn’t relinquish U.S. political and military control of Iraq, and many council nations are demanding a much stronger U.N. role. The U.S. draft invites the Iraqi Governing Council to work with the United Nations and U.S. officials to produce a timetable for drafting a new constitution and holding democratic elections. It calls for the U.S.-led military force in Iraq to be transformed into a multinational force under a unified command. U.S. officials insist it must be led by an American general. France would like to see the United Nations replace the United States as Iraq’s interim administrator, as would Mexico. Syria and Germany want a U.N.-led force, council diplomats said. France would also like some responsibilities now in the hands of the U.S.-led coalition to be transferred to the Governing Council immediately, the diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity. It is expected to submit amendments next week.
Like the oil contracts, for example.
The U.S. draft leaves the key decision on a timetable for elections in the hands of the Governing Council, which took months just to form a Cabinet. Chile’s Munoz said he proposed that the council ask Annan to consult and agree with the Governing Council on a concrete timetable, shifting the primary responsibility. While many countries want a stronger U.N. role, Britain’s U.N. Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry conceded there is ``a contradiction’’ at the moment because the United Nations has drastically reduced its international staff in Iraq following the Aug. 19 bombing of U.N. headquarters. U.N. Undersecretary-General Kieran Prendergast briefed the council on the dangers U.N. staff face in Iraq and the need for improved security. Jones Parry said the council ``underlined that we would do everything possible to deliver proper security.’’
"But you’ll have to let us instead of showing your usual disdain for common sense."
Posted by: Steve White 2003-09-06
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=18376