Posted on 04/17/2003 5:32:20 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
Athens, Apr 17, 2003 (EFE via COMTEX) -- The nations of Europe are insisting that the European Union and the United Nations must play a "primary" and "central" role in helping Iraq reconstruct its economy and political institutions.
In a statement issued Thursday at the Athens summit approving and welcoming the 10 new member states that will be joining next year, the European Union "reaffirms its commitment to plat a significant role in the political and economic reconstruction of (Iraq)"
Reading out the declaration in the presence of UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan, the current holder of the EU presidency Premier Costas Simitas of Greece said "the EU welcomes the opportunity to discuss the next steps on Iraq" with him.
"The UN must play a central role in the process leading towards self-government for the Iraqi people, enlisting its unique capacity and experience in post-conflict union building.
"Iraq's neighbors should support stability in Iraq and the region, said the declaration that was drafted by the four EU nations represented on the UN Security Council
Papering over previously patent divisions over the military intervention in Iraq, France and Germany joined Spain and Britain in expressing satisfaction that "the people of Iraq now have the chance to shape a new future for their country and rejoin the international community.
But Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio admitted that different viewpoints still remained over how and when UN sanctions in force against Iraq since 1991 should be lifted "for the good of the Iraqi people" now that the regime they were directed against has collapsed.
A single focused view on the future role of the United Nations in Iraq did not emerge during their consultations but Palacio said the divergences could be resolved through specific resolutions presented to the Security Council, rather than by seeking a broad, open-ended mandate.
Well, bring your tanks, planes and other toys, fella, and come establish yourself as head honcho in Iraq.
Otherwise, butt out.
The following is the full-text of the EU declaration: http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1433_A_834740_1_A,00.html
"The European Union welcomes the presence of the United Nations secretary general and the opportunity to discuss with him the next steps on Iraq.
"At this stage the coalition has the responsibility to ensure a secure environment, including for the provision of humanitarian assistance and the protection of the cultural heritage and museums.
"The people of Iraq now have the chance to shape a new future for their country and to rejoin the international community.
"The international community has a major contribution to make in that process, in particular:
- · The U.N. must play a central role including in the process leading toward self-government for the Iraqi people, enlisting its unique capacity and experience in post-conflict union building
- · Iraq's neighbors should support stability in Iraq and the region
- · The EU reaffirms its commitments to play a significant role in the political and economic reconstruction of the country
- · The EU welcomes the participation of the international financial institutions as set out in the recent statement by the G7 at the World Bank meeting in Washington
"The EU welcomes the appointment by the U.N. secretary general of a special adviser on Iraq and looks forward to a further strengthening of the U.N.'s involvement in post-conflict Iraq, initially in the coordination of the humanitarian assistance.
"As part of the process of regional security and stability the EU reaffirms its commitments to bring the Israeli-Palestinian peace process to a successful conclusion through the implementation of the steps foreseen in the Quartet's [EU, US, UN and Russia] roadmap, keeping within established timelines.
"It is essential that there is an early endorsement by Chairman Arafat and the Palestinian Legislative Council of a cabinet nominated by Abu Mazen and committed to reform."
The third demand is really the key: that the EU be given a share in the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq, in exchange for which Europe will probably offer the withdrawal of the UN dagger of nonrecognition. But the dagger is made of rubber. The rapid rate at which the US is creating interim Iraqi institutions will make it impossible for a UN functionary to appear on the scene and claim proconsulship. In politics as in property, possession is 99% of the game. The EU will be able to participate in the Iraqi reconstruction anyway, through the global market. However, it is unlikely to maintain its Saddam-era contracts and loans under any circumstances.
As President Bush implied when he demanded that the UN sanctions be dropped on the the Free Iraqi government, any attempt by the EU or UN to impinge on their national free will can be interpreted as a desire to keep the Iraqi people enslaved and starving rather than prosperous. Keeping the sanctions in place would expose the EU and UN as yet another type of overlord oppressing the Iraqi people.
Operation Iraqi Freedom liberated the Iraqi people from Saddam's dominion, the next phase will be to ensure they are liberated from the dominion of the EU and the UN so that they grow into a modern, soveriegn nation.
I was thinking of those tens of millions of toilets and urinals that are going to need cleaning. We also need to rebuild the sewage and waste water treatment facilities.
Plenty of things they can do.
There is NO next step until sanctions are lifted.
This is kind fun. What a roiling pool of impotence. Throw these old fossils some Viagra.
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