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International
U.N. Members Urge Speedy Iraq Transfer
2003-09-11
In amendments to a U.S. draft resolution, France, Germany and Russia are urging a speedy transfer of power from the U.S.-led coalition to an interim Iraqi administration. The amendments, obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press, demand more power for Iraqis and the United Nations in running the country.
The former is happening, with luck the latter will never happen.
The amendments were given to the United States ahead of a meeting called by Secretary General Kofi Annan to try to get the five veto-wielding permanent Security Council members to unite behind a plan to stabilize Iraq. Foreign ministers of the five - the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France - are expected to attend the meeting Saturday in Geneva. U.S. deputy ambassador James Cunningham said the Geneva meeting wouldn’t focus on the amendment text, but on what needs to be done to get the international community to come together "to get the job that we want done in Iraq." Secretary of State Colin Powell said the U.S. aim was "the ability to transfer sovereignty back to the Iraqi people and to do it in a responsible way."
Kofi's objective, on the other hand, is to jiggle our elbow enough to cause us to rush. If we turn power over to the Iraqis early, there's a chance we won't transfer it right — we end up with another tin-hat, demanding lotsa weapons so Iraq can regain its "dignity" and we get another 50 years of the same stuff as the past 50. Lots of opportunities for graft there...
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, told the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee on Wednesday the 15 EU nations were still "a long way from achieving consensus both among ourselves and with other members of the Security Council - but I do hope it will be possible to achieve some agreement."
"But we are Europeans, so don’t count on it."
The U.S. draft resolution invites the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council to cooperate with the United Nations and U.S. officials in Baghdad to produce "a timetable and program for the drafting of a new constitution for Iraq and for the holding of democratic elections." But it contains no time frame of when this should happen, and it leaves the key decision in the hands of the Governing Council, which has taken months just to form a Cabinet. The United States believes the Iraqis must remain in charge of this process - but France, Germany and Russia want a much faster timetable.
But wait, didn’t they just demand that the Iraqis get more control? I’m so confused!
The French-German amendments call for immediately "initiating under the auspices of the U.N. a new process leading ... to the full restoration of Iraqi authority." They call for an interim Iraqi administration to take control of "all civilian areas, including control over natural resources and use of international assistance."
Ah, light dawns ...
As part of that process, the Security Council would endorse the Governing Council and Cabinet "as the trustees of Iraqi sovereignty until the processes leading to an elected and fully representative government are completed." This would mark a major change for the Security Council which took months just to "welcome" the Governing Council. The French-German amendments and separate Russian amendments ask the secretary-general to assist the Governing Council in developing a timetable for drafting a constitution and holding elections. The Russians don’t go as far as the French and Germans in demanding the immediate handover of authority to the Iraqis. Moscow’s proposal endorses the principle of Iraqis governing themselves quickly, saying the Iraqi interim administration should "be gradually assuming more executive authority" as it implements the timetable toward elections. Syria also proposed amendments, taking issue with the U.S. contention that the threats to peace and security in Iraq are caused by "terrorist acts."
"We call 'em freedumb fighters in these here parts, y'know..."
"The threat to international peace and security is ... because of mistakes made by the occupying power, especially dissolving the Iraqi institutions, mainly the military and security, because there is no clear and limited time frame that would reassure the Iraqi citizen of the end of the occupation, and because of the delay in establishing a constitution and election of a national government representing the Iraqi people," said the Syrian amendments, also obtained by AP.
None of this of course applies to Syria!
A key aim of the U.S. draft is to get countries such as Turkey, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh the U.N. authorization they say they need before committing any troops to Iraq. It would transform the U.S.-led coalition force into a U.N.-authorized multinational one under a unified command to help maintain "security and stability in Iraq" and urge the 191 U.N.-member states to contribute troops.
That frees up the U.S. forces to be rotated out, refit, and readied for next year's campaign in... ummm...
Some council members have raised questions about whether the United States plans to keep the coalition force now in Iraq separate from the multinational force. The Russian amendments calls for making clear the coalition force part of a new multinational force under a unified command led by the United States.
Prediction: the French and German governments will do whatever they can to kill this resolution if their demands aren’t met in full.
Posted by:Steve White

#9  The problem is not when Germany leaves the UNSC (end of 2004) but when Schröder (add expletives) leaves the goverment and we can get our sanity back in foreign politics.
Posted by: True German Ally   2003-9-11 5:42:57 PM  

#8  I like how the UN has this great new idea that we should transfer power to the Iraqis as soon as possible. As I recall, that's what the US has been saying for EIGHT F***ING MONTHS NOW A**HOLES.
You know, exactly what we're IN THE PROCESS OF DOING?!?
Posted by: eyeyeye   2003-9-11 12:42:31 PM  

#7  Light dawns on me too...

Now I think I see the reason for Ma and Pa Bush's excursion to St. Petersburg....
Posted by: Carl in NH   2003-9-11 11:51:07 AM  

#6  In amendments to a U.S. draft resolution, France, Germany and Russia are urging a speedy transfer of power from the U.S.-led coalition to an interim Iraqi administration.

Yep, the speedier that power is transferred from U.S. hands into the hands of bribable/coercible Iraqis, the sooner these guys can resume their former activities there.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2003-9-11 11:30:23 AM  

#5  When does Germany rotate off the council ?
Posted by: domingo   2003-9-11 9:30:31 AM  

#4  Actually Kofi is helping us here. By calling for seperate discussions among the perm5.

In the full UNSC, France stands with Germany. In the perm5, France faces UK and US. China is effectively neutral. Russia is pushing for smaller changes than France. France is effectively isolated. Between US/UK position, and French position, its natural to look to Russian position (which may be modified toward US/UK position) as compromise. France can hardly stand againt Kofi and the consensus of the other members of the perm5.

And Dubya looks smart for playing up to Vlad the Impaler.
Posted by: liberalhawk   2003-9-11 9:06:31 AM  

#3  How's about this: We provide aid. The UN provides unaid. Sounds about right.
Posted by: badanov   2003-9-11 5:39:59 AM  

#2  Why do the words "UN administered Iraq Development Fund" keep whispering in my ears?
Posted by: mojo   2003-9-11 3:27:29 AM  

#1  Steve, you've just looked into our future and told us exactly what's going to happen.

Can I borrow your Magic Eight Ball? I need to make a bet for Sunday....
Posted by: Charles   2003-9-11 2:25:36 AM  

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