UN too weak for major post-war role in Iraq: opposition leader

Agence France-Presse (AFP) ^ | 3-27-03

[Oldeconomybuyer]

LONDON, March 27 (AFP) - Iraqi opposition leader Ahmad Chalabi spoke out Thursday against a major role for the United Nations in a post-war Iraq.

Chalabi, who heads the London-based Iraqi National Congress (INC) umbrella opposition group, said in an interview in the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "The UN is too weak to deal with de-Baathification (getting rid of the ruling Baath party), the destruction of weapons of mass destruction" and the dismantling of President Saddam Hussein's security services.

"The UN would be hamstrung. Iraq is far too big and important," Chalabi said.

"The UN's record on Iraq has been abysmal and the Iraqi people have little confidence in the UN," he added.

Chalabi said he wanted allied troops to remain after the war until a referendum and then elections were held to establish democracy and independence.

Speaking from Dokan, northern Iraq, Chalabi hailed the US and British advance into Iraq, even if he said that "the coalition has not been able to win the confidence of the Iraqi people, who feel completely disempowered.

"The only ones who can mobilise the Iraqi people are the opposition, and so far there is little role for us in this war," Chalabi said.

He said the opposition could provide vital intelligence for the allied forces, based on "frequent and detailed contacts" with networks of sources inside all the areas under Saddam's control.

Claiming that his organisation had "tens of thousands of fighters throughout the country", Chalabi said the opposition was now unified and ready to take part in a war of liberation.

"We can start a second front in northern Iraq very quickly, provided that the coalition takes practical steps towards military coordination. It is long overdue.

"The leadership of the opposition are in a position to declare a provisional government, which could play a very important role in dealing with the security situation," Chalabi said.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Never mind Chalabi, Bush and Blair are surely looking for a western-friendly go-getter with experience in

unconventional-warfare missions and counterinsurgency operations;

internal-security assignments and counterterrorism missions;

countersabotage assignments

riot control;

conventional" and "unconventional" military operations beyond the scope and abilities of the conventional army

training other units of the armed forces in special operations, including counterterrorism and hostage-rescue.

acting as the armed forces' strategic reserve during full-scale military deployments

Got any ideas?

[DeuceTraveler]

I'm surprised to see this article come out of France.

[Jeremiah Jr]

Psalm 55:20-21