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| International-UN-NGOs |
| Canberra rejects UN Iraq troop request |
| 2004-10-18 |
| AUSTRALIA has quietly rejected diplomatic overtures from the United Nations and the US to contribute to a military force to protect UN officials in Iraq. The requests, made through Australia's diplomatic missions in New York and Washington, came as UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was struggling to gain international support for a security force to protect UN officials working in Iraq. With only a handful of small nations, including Fiji, responding to the call for help, the UN has had to fall back on the fully stretched US military for protection. It has sought at least 500 military personnel or police as well as other specialist advisers to ensure the security of the UN mission in Baghdad. The lack of adequately trained security forces has handicapped the UN in its determination to assume a wider role in Iraq and assist the Iraqi Government with planning for the January 2005 national election. The real story here is how the supporters of the UN are, when push comes to shove, unwilling to support the UN. Where are the multi-nationalists - France, Spain, etc.? It may be finally dawning on the multi-nationalists that a UN without US, UK, Australian suppport aint worth much. |
| Posted by:phil_b |
| #6 The US out of the UN and the UN out of the US. The UN is is nothing but a country club for anti-democratic kleptocrats. |
| Posted by: SR71 2004-10-18 11:40:09 AM |
| #5 Perhaps Kerry will go after November. You know what a mighty warrior he is for the United Nations. On the other hand he probably will be having a manicure.... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2004-10-18 9:45:40 AM |
| #4 The cynic in me wonders if Iraq might be better off without UN help for running its first real election. The cynic in me wonders if the Iraqis will remember how the UN brought them liberty. |
| Posted by: Mrs. Davis 2004-10-18 9:40:22 AM |
| #3 Slammed that door nicely on that prick, mate. Good show. |
| Posted by: wits0 2004-10-18 9:32:39 AM |
| #2 I'm just glad the Australians have done as much as they have. The cynic in me wonders if Iraq might be better off without UN help for running its first real election. So many UN members seem to do without them. |
| Posted by: Phil Fraering 2004-10-18 9:21:36 AM |
| #1 Perhaps Kofi Annan should reflect on some of his past intemperate speech about Australlas treatment of refugees and other issues. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2004-10-18 9:12:00 AM |