04 September 2003 23:23
Germany, France reject US draft
Russian peacekeepers likely in iraq Associated Press DRESDEN, Sept. 4. — The leaders of Germany and France said today
that a US draft resolution seeking troops and money from all nations to rebuild post-war Iraq does not give the United
Nations a large enough role in post-war Iraq and falls far short of the goal of turning over political responsibility to
the Iraqi people.
German Chancellor Mr Gerhard Schroeder and French President Mr Jacques Chirac, both ardent opponents of the war in
Iraq, said they would coordinate their positions on the US draft resolution, circulated yesterday, and hoped that
America would be open to changes. France holds veto power in the UN Security Council.
Both nations are particularly adamant that America cede control of the political process in Iraq. Under the draft,
Washington would not give up political or military control.
“We are naturally ready to study it in the most positive manner. But we are quite far removed from what we believe is
the priority objective, which is the transfer of political responsibility to an Iraqi government as quickly as
possible,” Mr Chirac said.
Mr Schroeder said the draft resolution had brought “movement” into the diplomacy. But “I agree with the president
when he says: Not dynamic enough, not sufficient”, he said. The two leaders discussed Iraq over lunch after touring the
Old Masters gallery at Dresden’s 18th-century Zwinger palace — reopened after being partly swamped by floods last year.
Russia sent its first signal today that it was edging closer to Washington in efforts to rebuild Iraq, adds a report
from Moscow. Defence minister Mr Sergei Ivanov reportedly said Moscow may send peacekeepers to Iraq as part of an
international force.
“It all depends on a specific resolution. I wouldn’t exclude it outright,” Mr Ivanov told Interfax when asked if
Moscow can contribute peacekeepers. Reaching out to the international community to help restore security in Iraq, the
Bush administration yesterday offered the UN a bigger role in Iraq’s security, political transition and reconstruction.
But whether it is big enough to satisfy members of the UN Security Council remains to be seen.
Mr Colin Powell, who outlined the US proposal at a news conference, howerver, made it clear that “the United States
will continue to play a dominant role” both politically and militarily. An American commander will take charge of the
multinational force and US civilian administrator L Paul Bremer will keep the top political post, he said.
[AIW [Asia Africa Intelligence Wire]] |
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