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Chirac derails Iraq talks
But I think we all saw this coming.President Jacques Chirac derailed an effort by Tony Blair to mend divisions between Europe and the United States over Iraq by insisting on an "immediate transfer" of power to the Iraqi governing council. After talks in Berlin with Mr Blair and Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, Mr Chirac said an attempt to agree a formula for increasing the United Nations role had failed after disagreements over how and when the transfer of power should take place. "Non! Non again!" As the three European leaders tried to address this latest crisis, Mr Blair attempted to project unity, declaring: "We all want to see Iraq make a transition to a democratic government as quickly as possible, and we all know there must be a key role for the United Nations." Sigh. Tonyâs political instincts are failing him. Mr Chirac went further, however, saying: "The UN should play a far more significant role. There should be an immediate transfer of power to the Iraqi governing council." "And thence to a Britain and America regard next summer as the earliest plausible date for a transfer of power. They are willing to offer a "symbolic" transfer to a UN force, but want to retain control of that force and of the political effort to build a democratic Iraqi government. Mr Schroder, who will meet President George W. Bush for the first time since the Iraq war in New York on Wednesday, wants to heal Germanyâs rift with the US. Yesterday, he stopped short of offering full support to France. When is Schroder going to learn the meaning of the phrase, "French perfidy"? Posted by: Steve White 2003-09-21 |
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