Posted on 09/10/2003 5:50:29 AM PDT by truthandlife
France and Germany will back the new UN resolution on Iraq sought by President George Bush only if the proposal gives the UN full political rule over the country. The countries have also demanded a clear programme for returning power to Iraqis.
The high price sought by the French suggests that Mr Bush is going to struggle to win UN agreement ahead of his planned speech to the security council on September 24. Foreign ministers of the five permanent members are due to meet the UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, in Geneva this weekend to try to find common ground.
Paris wants the UN to run Iraq temporarily on the model of Afghanistan, but insists its proposals do not represent an attempt to settle scores over the unilateral action by the US and Britain in Iraq.
France and Germany will accept the authority of the 25-strong governing council of Iraq, even though its membership was largely handpicked by the Anglo-US provisional authority. France believes the handover needs to be quick since many Iraqis fail to distinguish between US and UN control of the country.
Mr Bush has already tabled a draft resolution to leave US in full control of the coalition military, and give the UN only limited authority.
French sources insist they will approach the talks constructively, and not attempt to humiliate the US over its inability to restore order after the invasion.
The French remain surprised at the lack of planning for postwar reconstruction, and of any apparent serious thought about the prospect of conflict between the Shia and Sunni groups. France doubts a solution lies in extra troops, but says the governing council needs to be given a clear impression of a timetable leading to democratic elections and a constitutional assembly.
Both Britain and the US have suggested elections are held within a year, but they have failed to put this timetable into the draft. France is not insisting on a specific timetable, since such dates might not be met, which could lead to a more general loss of momentum.
It remains sceptical of the idea that Britain is wielding significant influence over the new conservative mood in Washington. It has been suggested that No 10 saw the draft US resolution only a couple of days before it was circulated to security council members.
France is also seeking greater UN control of Iraqi oil revenues.
· Mr Bush's national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, appeared to admit yesterday that the US government had failed to appreciate the scale of the reconstruction job in Iraq. She blamed a lack of information under the rule of Saddam Hussein, which meant any underestimate of the size of the task "was not at all surprising".
However, according to the Washington Post, violent resistance to US forces in Iraq was predicted by intelligence agencies, whose warnings may have been ignored by the White House. An unnamed senior administration official told the paper: "Intelligence reports told them at some length about possibilities for unpleasantness."
Great answer!
Plus, what folks are missing is that the debate has changed from whether Bush did the right thing to "finally Bush is seeking UN help". The critics that are so quick to attack whatever Bush does haven't even realized he shifted the subject to one that is merely a difference of opinion on how to transfer power to the Iraq's.
GWB said to the world how much he'd like to have outside help, and if they don't want to play by the rules, we'll do it ourselves......
GWB knew what the response would be, but he did it anyway so no one could say he didn't want outside help.....
Which we neither want or need
Germany (specifically companies in Germany), didn't sell completed weapons to Iraq. They sold parts for uranium enrichment, uranium processing/handling, biological containment, biological weapons handling, and biological warheads for missiles.
France sold the missiles and weapons to Iraq.
Saddam Hussein provided a letter of entitlement to the northern oil fields, to go to France and Germany, as soon as the UN resolution freezing all Iraqi assets was over. France and Germany are anxious for the UN and specifically Russia, to have control of Iraq, so they may exploit these resoures. Russia has promised to give those northern oil fields to France and Germany if they help stymie the efforts of the US through the UN. Russia doesn't care, as it has plans to take over Iraq itself later, in it's weakened state, and throw the Germans and French back out, garnering the oil for itself.
In all seriousness, Michael, I don't have documented proof, as this was illegal under the UN resolutions, therefore, was being conducted by the black market (organized crime,red mafia,call it whatever you want), and the only proof lies in the weapons stocks found in Iraq with French and German manufacturer's names on them. This still does not implicate the country in any wrongdoing, per se, but does not explain the reticence of France and Germany in supporting the United States via the UN.
Can you explain why France and Germany seem to be 180degrees out of sync with the US? AT EVERY STEP. And now that we have expended our money and American/Canadian/Australian/etc lives in liberating the people of Iraq, removing a despot, all of a sudden FRANCE and GERMANY think they should be put in charge?
The above post is MY OPINION ONLY.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.