LAT: (Dem) Candidates All Press for Global Iraq Effort

[DeepModem Mom]

LA Times, Ron Brownstein:


As the U.S.-led effort to forge a new government in Iraq continues to struggle, the leading Democrats argue that Iraqis are more likely to accept the process if it is designed by the United Nations or another international body....


Among the Democrats, Gephardt, Lieberman, Edwards, Kerry and long-shots Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois all say the U.S. should hand off...negotiations (re. forming a new Iraqi government) to the U.N.

Dean has said he wants to provide more decision-making authority in Iraq to the "international community," but hasn't specified exactly what institutions he anticipates playing that role.

Clark joined in calling for the U.S. to relinquish control, but insisted "it's simply unrealistic to have the United Nations take over" the responsibility. Instead, borrowing from the model used after the end of the war in Bosnia, he proposed to transfer authority to an ad hoc Iraqi Reconstruction and Democracy Council, with representatives from the U.S., Europe and countries neighboring Iraq.


http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-allies4dec04,1,3406844.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[begeegs]

1. Depressing - Still missing the point

This is utterly depressing to read.

Obviously all candidates just don't get as the pendulum on this on has swung too far to the right.

Relinquishing control to the UN would be very welcome in Iraq as they would put the road to democracy (more likely a bastardized version of it) rather than the plutocracy that exists there now.

The problem is that the US doesn't want to relinquish control of the business sector (read PUBLIC sector) and the contracts that they have signed over there, but would like to rid themselves of the military occupation risks.

Who is going to go for that?

As long as this line is still towed, they are only going to receive token support, meaning talk and no action.

Until this Administration, or (hopefully) a new Administration undo the damage there, we will be stuck in guerilla warfare for years to come.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Welcome to DU, begeegs....

And thanks for your thoughtful comments --

[el_gato]

3. Iraq belongs to Iraqis

not the UN
not he US
not the EU
and not some council comprised of
corporate representatives