FRANCE SEE ROLE FOR SELF, U N IN POST-WAR IRAQ (update and newer article)

Reuters | March 18, 2003 | Tom Heneghan

[KE]

France sees role for self, U.N. in post-war Iraq

By Tom Heneghan

PARIS, March 18 (Reuters) - Far from feeling sidelined now that war is imminent, France sees itself as a key player in the next phase of the Iraq crisis when it comes to managing the country after Saddam Hussein is gone.

One argument often heard recently was that France might not block the pro-war resolution Washington sought from the United Nations because it would have sidelined the Security Council.

But Paris, whose threatened veto torpedoed the resolution, thinks it will stand aside only for the war phase in Iraq before bounding back into an influential position as the United Nations is called on to help solve a raft of post-victory problems.

In several recent interviews explaining France's anti-war stand, Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin has thrown the issue forward to raise questions of what will happen in Iraq once Saddam is overthrown.

"Everyone knows one can win a war quickly but no country can construct peace alone," he told Europe 1 radio on Monday. "We think the United Nations cannot be ignored and will be at the heart of the management of Iraq after Saddam Hussein."

Looking beyond the tensions that France's veto threat caused with its partners, other Europeans apparently agree.

"We want them to be involved, although that may not be the way the Americans look at it," one British official said.

France believes the Security Council, where it has a permanent seat, should have a say on post-war issues as varied as humanitarian aid, trade sanctions and future oil policy.

CHALLENGE OF LEGITIMACY

The United States has been reported to be planning a two-year military administration for post-war Iraq, but Iraqi opposition leaders said on Monday they had been told Washington wanted to hand over power to Iraqi civilians within weeks of victory.

Villepin said in another interview that the issue of legitimacy would be the first question to confront any post-Saddam administration.

"Without the U.N., any foreign presence in Iraq on the day after the war will not get around being confronted with a problem of legitimacy," he told the weekly magazine Marianne.

The U.N. will play a role in housing refugees, distributing humanitarian aid and even managing Iraqi oil resources, Villepin said on France Inter radio.

"Let me remind you that the current system of exploiting Iraqi oil is based on the 'oil for food' resolution. It governs the management of Iraqi exports and uses the revenues for subsidising goods for the Iraqi population. We cannot erase this reality from one day to the next."

Villepin has not spoken publicly about any French role in rebuilding Iraq but officials privately say they hardly expect Washington to pass hefty construction contracts to Paris after it opposed the war so adamantly.

French officials say Washington would also have to turn to the Security Council to have the trade sanctions imposed after the 1991 Gulf War lifted.

At the United Nations headquarters in New York, officials of the world body have said they are working on a plan for a U.N. mission to run Iraq after a short U.S. military administration.

The Security Council would have to authorise the mission if the United States toppled Saddam without U.N. backing, the officials said earlier this month.

U.N. and U.S. officials were working separately on their plans for post-war Iraq, they said, but Jay Garner -- the retired lieutenant general tipped to be the U.S. administrator in Baghdad -- has visited U.N. headquarters to discuss how to make them mesh.

[KE]

The U.N. will play a role in housing refugees, distributing humanitarian aid and even managing Iraqi oil resources, Villepin said on France Inter radio.

All I can say is they have a lot of nerve. After what they did, they aren't even asking nicely - THEY ARE DEMANDING. Acording to them we can't do anything without the UN - (Just watch us ! )

Karen

[truthkeeper]

Arrogance, thy name is France.

[lawdude]

No F'ing way, Jose.

[CatoRenasci]

I'm sure we can use the UN for the occupation. Let all the little countries send us peacekeepers and do the goody two shoes routine. As for the French, the only ones I'd let in are the ones from "doctors without borders" -- they're good guys and not political. Other than that, perhaps ChIraq can work as a coolie in July and August in a chemical protective suit....

[dfwgator]

Frankly I don't care what happens in Iraq after the war. Our only concern right now is to remove the threat to the US. If after the war France and Russia want to make deals for oil, I say let them. We can be magmanimous in victory; that is, as long as Iraq no longer presents itself as a threat to the US. Winning the war is easy, it's winning the peace that is the tricky part.

[speedy]

ER, what did this guy mean when he said "Everyone knows one can win a war quickly." What experience has France had with this phenomenon?

[Shermy]

It's not charity. They want "money" for the reconstruction. And they want the UN sanctions regime bureaucracy to continue to control Iraqi oil because it directed much of the purchases from oil profits to French firms.

Iraq is not Afghanistan. they have businessmen, bureaucrats, infrastructure. They don't need the UN.

[EaglesUpForever]

I don't think we want to be particular magnanimous. France and Russia built this threat up that faced us, we should keep them economically unable to do such a thing again.

[InspiredPath1]

Front page story yesterday in WSJ - The U.S. already has plans for rebuilding Iraq in place and is already receiving bids from contractors to do this work. New schools, hiring teachers, buying books, repair and rebuild roads, water systems, etc. - all work to be completed in one year.

No French companies bidding ....... Hmmmm.

When will the French learn - We don't need them.

[rudypoot]

All the legitimacy the US needs is from the Iraqi people once Saddam is removed. EAT COLBY CHEESE YOU SURRENDER MONKEYS!

[11B3]

Just the fact that these UN idiots even imagine their organization existing for much longer amazes me. DEFUND THE UN!!

[sd-joe]

France = Vultures trying to feed on the carcass that the Lion has killed.

[aShepard]

Just pass out the wine and crepes for our heroes!

[Blood of Tyrants]

You mean "No way, Jacque" don't you?

[expatpat]

Don't allow AlQaida or France into Iraq.

[dfwgator]

"Everyone knows one can win a war quickly." What experience has France had with this phenomenon?

Look how fast Germany beat France in WWII.

[sd-joe]

"it's winning the peace that is the tricky part."

Which is why we should not let the traitorous, self absorbed, stab us in the back at any opportunity, French anywhere near the process.

[Calpernia]

Yeah? Make sure you follow this story too:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/868061/posts

[RAT Patrol]

France believes the Security Council, where it has a permanent seat, should have a say on post-war issues as varied as humanitarian aid, trade sanctions and future oil policy.

How transparent is that? The oil belongs to the Iraqi's and will help finance their new, democratic government. Keep your greedy mitts off it, Chirac.

[livius]

France, Russia and, for that matter, the UN should have nothing to do with post-war Iraq. It is thanks to them that this whole situation has gotten so much more dangerous, and quite possibly many more of our people will die because of the obstructionist activities of these countries. I certainly hope our government punishes them severely for their actions.