US, Britain propose UN political role in Iraq

[Barrett808]

Source: Reuters

US, Britain propose UN political role in Iraq
By Patrick Worsnip

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 1 (Reuters) - The United States and Britain proposed on Wednesday a greatly expanded political role for the United Nations in Iraq to try to heal the sectarian divide that has riven the country since the U.S.-led invasion.

A draft resolution circulated to the U.N. Security Council called for a major boost to the scope of the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq, or UNAMI, to accompany the extension of its mandate for a further year.

It was distributed as fresh turmoil struck the government in Baghdad. The main Sunni Arab political bloc quit the Shi'ite-led Cabinet on Wednesday in a dispute over security, and suicide bombers killed more than 70 people in the capital.

Since it was set up four years ago, UNAMI has focused mainly on helping with elections and monitoring human rights. The United Nations has operated cautiously in Iraq since its Baghdad office was blown up in 2003, killing 22 staff and visitors.

Read more: http://mobile.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01401810.htm

[BlackHawk706867]

1. Is'nt that special... Bush F***s things up in Iraq and now expects the UN

(whom he has had no use for) to clean up his mess. Go figure!

ww

[Karenina]

6. Steve Bell comments...

[pretty_lies]

2. This Just Undermines UN Legitimacy

Just like the UN vote to declare the Iraqi puppet government sovereign and rationalize post facto the illegal invasion, if the UN approves this it shows they are just the servant of the US.

In the eyes of Iraqi nationalists, this could make the UN a legitimate target. The action of attacking the UN in 2003 certainly hindered the invaders of Iraq from widening the coalition of occupiers.

The bottom line is that Iraqis did not ask the UN to help invade them. All foreign troops should leave, it's that simple.

[struggle4progress]

3. And the US will, of course, provide "security" as in August 2003?

http://watch.windsofchange.net.nyud.net:8090/pics/capt.1061309134.iraq_explosion_xws201.jpg

And perhaps also the same high level of cooperation we showed to the UN weapons inspectors, whom we chassed out in March 2003 and never allowed to return?

[Eugene]

4. Approval of boosted U.N. role in Iraq looks likely

Source: Reuters

Approval of boosted U.N. role in Iraq looks likely
Thu Aug 2, 2007 7:12PM EDT

By Patrick Worsnip

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Russia signaled its assent on
Thursday to a U.S.-British draft resolution that would expand
the political role of the United Nations in Iraq, making its
approval by the Security Council almost certain.

"I think it's overall a good draft. Some work, of course, may
be required, but I don't see any basic problems," Russian
Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters.

The draft circulated to the Security Council's 15 member
states on Wednesday called for a major upgrade to the
scope of the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq, or UNAMI,
which Western countries hope can help smooth over
sectarian differences.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN0240427820070802

[TrogL]

5. Of course you know who's going to end up cleaning up the mess

Canada....again.