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| Iraq |
| Coalition Rep to Attend U.N. Iraq Meeting |
| 2004-01-07 |
| UNITED NATIONS (AP) - A representative of the U.S.-led authority in Iraq will attend a Jan. 19 meeting with the United Nations and the Iraqi Governing Council on determining the U.N. role as the country moves to self-government, officials said Tuesday. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he expects the United States to send a "senior delegation" that could include U.S. officials in Baghdad. However, a U.N. diplomat familiar with the U.S. position said on condition of anonymity only that the Coalition Provisional Authority, or CPA, would be represented in some form, and the meeting must primarily be between the United Nations and the Iraqis. Kofi yields to reality yet again. Annan says the meeting is needed to clarify what role the CPA and the U.S.-appointed Governing Council want the United Nations to play before an Iraqi transitional government is handed power at the end of June. In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the United States is "considering appropriate ways to support this meeting." Coffee? Tea? Cookies? Coalition diplomats say that so long as the CPA remains the authority in Iraq, it ought to be involved in the discussion. But the coalition wants to make sure that, before the meeting takes place, the Iraqi Governing Council has a clear idea of what it believes the United Nations should do in Iraq. Come ask us at Rantburg! Annan pulled all U.N. international staff out of Iraq in October after two bombings at U.N. headquarters in Baghdad and says it’s not safe enough for the United Nations to return. If by "safe" you mean "zero risk", that’s true, and the Iraqis will remember you for it. Iraqi leaders and the United States have said they want the United Nations back in the country now. However, a November agreement between the Governing Council and the coalition on a timetable for the transfer of power does not mention the United Nations. Dang, MS Word musta deleted that sentence. U.N. officials including Annan have said they worried the omission was intentional and that the coalition does not want a major U.N. role. It’s a crucial distinction for Annan, who has said the U.N. role must be commensurate with the risks it takes - an indication he might send staff back to Iraq sooner if the United Nations is given a stronger mandate. Nope, don’t bother, don’t risk your necks. Possible U.N. roles vary widely. Chief opponents of the war, including Russia, Germany and France, want it to play a lead political role, which could involve helping to oversee Iraq’s election process. Or the United Nations could be asked to deal strictly with humanitarian aid and refugee issues and have little influence on Iraq’s political future. Keep ’em in Cyprus! |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #4 Dang, MS Word musta deleted that sentence. Their copy of Word probably has the RoseMary Wood SnapIn. Same firm makes the Rachel Corrie disk compression utility. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-1-7 1:39:46 PM |
| #3 Coalition diplomats say that so long as the CPA remains the authority in Iraq, it ought to be involved in the discussion. But the coalition wants to make sure that, before the meeting takes place, the Iraqi Governing Council has a clear idea of what it believes the United Nations should do in Iraq. I think the UN should do what it is best at doing: absolutely nothing. Let the adults determine Iraq's future. Use the UN whining and foot stomping as a gauge of success. |
| Posted by: badanov 2004-1-7 10:01:12 AM |
| #2 --However, a November agreement between the Governing Council and the coalition on a timetable for the transfer of power does not mention the United Nations.-- Hmmm, someone from phrawnce must have been paying attention, a draft of the proposed EU constitution was missing the word "NATO" more than once. |
| Posted by: Anonymous2U 2004-1-7 1:43:33 AM |
| #1 Annan seems to think that the U.N. should have the leading role in determining Iraq's political future. Somehow I don't think the CPA and GC see the U.N. in a 'lead role' in determining Iraq's future. But that is just a guess on my part. Seems someone needs to realize the relationship between cause (not supporting the overthrow of a brutal monsterous tyrant and murderer) with effect (no say in Iraq's political future...). |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2004-1-7 12:29:56 AM |