U.S. says will not cede control of Iraq to U.N.

Reuters | 3/26/03

[kattracks]

U.S. says will not cede control of Iraq to U.N.

WASHINGTON, March 26 (Reuters) - The United States will not cede control of Iraq to the United Nations if and when it overthrows President Saddam Hussein, Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Wednesday.

"We didn't take on this huge burden with our coalition partners not to be able to have a significant dominating control over how it unfolds in the future," Powell told a House of Representatives subcommittee.

"We would not support ... essentially handing everything over to the U.N. for someone designated by the U.N. to suddenly become in charge of this whole operation," he added.

"We have picked on a greater obligation -- to make sure there is a functioning Iraqi government that is supported by the coalition, the center of gravity remaining with the coalition, military and civilian," he said.

Powell said the United Nations should, however, have a role in a post-Saddam Iraq, if only because it makes it easier for other countries to contribute to reconstruction costs.

"If we ask these nations to go get funds from their parliaments, it makes it a lot easier for them to get those funds and contribute those funds to the reconstruction effort ... if it has an international standing," he said.

The coalition is the Bush administration's term for the United States, Britain and the other minor contributors to the invasion of Iraq they launched last week.

The question of the U.N. role has come to the fore in the last few days because of debates in New York on the terms for releasing Iraqi oil money to pay for humanitarian relief.

The problem is expected to loom even larger if the United States takes control in Baghdad and then starts managing the Iraqi oil industry or seeking funds for reconstruction.

Washington will argue that as the victor it has the right to manage the transition to an Iraqi civilian government. Its opponents will say that the invasion was illegal and that the United Nations cannot endorse it retroactively.

Powell was speaking to the Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee.

03/26/03 17:17 ET

[jagrmeister]

I agree. We didn't risk blood and treasure so that we could reward France's cowardice with lucrative contracts in rebuilding Iraq and a leadership role. The UN and France stood on Saddam's side against the oppressed Iraqi people- they should have no say in how the post-Saddam Iraq is rebuilt. If anything, they are obligated to make available funds (but no say) to compensate for their cowardice.

[Sofa King]

Hmmm... what that I-word people have been throwing around? Was it that the UN was... Irrelevant?

[Grampa Dave]

The UN, France, Germany, Turkey, Russia, the ChiComs and the other leeches have made themselves irrelevant!

Their cash cow, Iraq/Soddomite, can't write huge checks and set them up to trade large amounts of Iraqi oil.

Financially these irrelevant suppliers of Soddomite are in for some real problems.

[hchutch]

Yep, the Franch and Kofi Annan will have a fit. So will the Germans.

I think the Russians will not be hit so badly. Note the lack of venom from Republicans against Russia over this. I think that what Russia DOES elsewhere may be more important than what they say or what they do in that worthless debating society in New York.

[agincourt1415]

Yeah, thats what I AM TALKING ABOUT. UN go take a hike off a short CLIFF!

[CyberAnt]

I hope this is correct. And ... France has no one to blame but themselves. They can kiss their oil BUH BYE!!

[JohnHuang2]

Bump!

[bvw]

THE LITTLE RED HEN

LITTLE Red Hen found a grain of wheat.

"Who will plant this?" she asked.
"Not I," said the cat.
"Not I," said the goose.
"Not I," said the rat.
"Then I will," said Little Red Hen.
So she buried the wheat in the ground. After a while it grew up yellow and ripe.

"The wheat is ripe now," said Little Red Hen. "Who will cut and thresh it?"
"Not I," said the cat.
"Not I," said the goose.
"Not I," said the rat.
"Then I will," said Little Red Hen.
So she cut it with her bill and threshed it with her wings.

Then she asked, "Who will take this wheat to the mill?"
"Not I," said the cat.
"Not I," said the goose.
"Not I," said the rat.
"Then I will," said Little Red Hen.
So she took the wheat to the mill, where it was ground.

Then she carried the flour home. "Who will make me some bread from this flour?" she asked.
"Not I," said the cat.
"Not I," said the goose.
"Not I," said the rat.
"Then I will," said Little Red Hen.
So she made and baked the bread.

Then she said, "Now we shall see who will eat this bread."
"We will," said cat, goose, and rat.
"I am quite sure you would," said Little Red Hen, "if you could get it."
Then she called her chicks, and they ate up all the bread.

There was none left at all for the cat, or the goose, or the rat.

[Howlin]

Well, actually, I was talking about the ones who are saying Bush is a UN man and is going to turn this whole thing over to the UN.

[justshe]

***That U.N. veto works both ways.***

It sure does!

[Revel]

Today I heard and interview of Kofi A. It was either on MSNBC or on FOX. I can't remember. Kofi clearly refered to all of
us as the "Belligerents". Afterwards the news reporter changed the words to something respectful. I did not appreciate that little
bit of propaganda that was an obvious attempt to protect the UN. It was a female reporter(News caster) and she made a funny
face when she changed the words...so she was well aware of what she was doing. Also I have not heard refference to it since.
But be aware that to Kofi A. we are Belligerents.

[dead]

I am hoping this stands. I am worried the British won't go along with this.

Figure out a formula that generously rewards the Brits for their courage and sacrifice with a percentage of the rebuilding tasks and oil development rights (say 20%.)

If they want to give their percentage to the UN or France they are free to.

[justshe]

There are French troops there?

[Howlin]

I wonder if they'll understand your point? :-)

[BlessedByLiberty]

MEMO:
TO: Kofi, U.N.
FROM: Mr. C. Powell, Bush Admin.

Vacate notice is hereby given to occupants of U.N. building.

Coalition of the willing handles humanitarian aid, rebuilding and other support to liberated Iraqis.

Contact Mr. Blix, he will help you locate new quarters.

[JohnHuang2]

I said the U.N. is irrelevant, and I meant it.

[knak]

This is great. Makes my day! Go Powell, tell the UN where to stuff it!

[small voice in the wilderness]

chirac cancels his drapery order. And curses George Washington all over again.

[Dustbunny]

EXCELLENT !!!!!

[Reb Raider]

He also immediately chastised us for the deaths in the marketplace today. The story was just breaking and he started acting holier than thou. He is a snake and I pray we don't give in to these idiots, but Blair is under pressure from his party to do just that.