Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

U.S. says will not cede control of Iraq to U.N.
Reuters | 3/26/03

Posted on 03/26/2003 2:20:23 PM PST by 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


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: iraq; irrelevant; postwariraq; powell; reconstruction
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-106 next last
To: kattracks
No fair for the peacenix to pile on and try to take credit after the victory. As bush said early, you're either with us, or you're with the terrorists.
61 posted on 03/26/2003 2:48:45 PM PST by ChadGore (288,007,154 Americans did not protest the war today)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: browardchad
I am afraid they will take the money and give it to France and Russia for "outstanding" contracts with Saddam. I am serious, France has said we must pay for humanitarian needs and rebuild the damage we've done, then they will come and update the old oil equipment. Blair has to get along in his neck of the woods. I would not want to be him right now.
62 posted on 03/26/2003 2:50:53 PM PST by Reb Raider
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Reb Raider
The British people have hated the French since before hating the French was cool.

I don't think it will be too politically risky for Blair to deny France (or their little tea club - the UN) any input.

63 posted on 03/26/2003 2:51:02 PM PST by dead
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: Reb Raider
I am hoping this stands. I am worried the British won't go along with this.

The Aussies apparently agree with us, or rather we agree with them.

64 posted on 03/26/2003 2:51:15 PM PST by legman ("If God is for us, who can be against us?")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: w1andsodidwe
Minor only compared to the size of the US contribution. Their moral support and cooperation is HUGE.
65 posted on 03/26/2003 2:53:55 PM PST by ffusco ("Essiri sempri la santu fora la chiesa.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
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.

France said: "We'll do the reconstructing and the US will pay us for it."

Powell says: "We'll do the reconstructing and France can chip in some money if they like."

66 posted on 03/26/2003 2:55:17 PM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
Oh no! Do you mean Kofi will have to work harder to get his greedy hands on Iraq's oil revenue?

Won't be able to appoint Bill Clinton? Or Mandela? Or UBL?

67 posted on 03/26/2003 2:56:42 PM PST by Calvin Locke
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Revel
Koffi Anon is a complete bastard.
68 posted on 03/26/2003 2:57:36 PM PST by ffusco ("Essiri sempri la santu fora la chiesa.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: kattracks

AWESOME!

Reward only the nations that are now friends of America with post-war contracts.

Works for me.

69 posted on 03/26/2003 2:57:36 PM PST by Enduring Freedom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
Kat have you slept at all?

I listened to this live on CNN, caught two Congressman that essentially gave Colin the floor to say all he needed to say.

Rep. Vitter of LA is phenomenal! He asked all the right questions , as if rehearsed. This meeting seemed more for us to abandon the un than budget finance. They both concurred that the UN is a joke.

Rep. Sweeney of NY concurred and gave the platform to Colin also. And the same line we need to get out of the un.

I would suggest all Freepers catch this repeat, you won't be sorry. I intend to so I can catch what I missed.

There is currently no schedule up for CSpan, but it was the Budget Finance Committee, so Freepers look later, you'll be glad you did!

70 posted on 03/26/2003 2:57:47 PM PST by JustPiper (Anti-War Protestors Are The Terrorist's Bodyguard!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RonF
Look at the great job they're doing in what used to be Yugoslavia, which is an excellent analogy to Iraq in that both have mutually antagonistic ethnic groups that were kept from each other's throats by a despot.

Who was the despot in Yugoslavia, my friend? When we start 'administering' Iraq, do we become depots by your definition?

Where is the analogy in that Yugoslavia didn't have WMD, never gassed anyone, never invaded another country, didn't threaten the world's oil supply or the USA? The EU, NATO and Clinton were the despots . As the Hague 'tribunal' is proving, Milosevic is more than a cut better than the lousey team the US had in the ninties. They shamed the country, and now were're asking for a second chance. It's a tough sell but with W and Republicans backing him, it's do able.

71 posted on 03/26/2003 2:58:43 PM PST by duckln
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: dead
I am hoping with their brave soldiers lost, killed, and captured they will pull together as a country and refuse to give France the upper hand. Chirac has played his hand like he is dictator of European thought and hopefully that will force some kind of showdown. I still think we will go through some knashing of teeth with the U.N., but I am very encouraged by Powell's strong words. Hey, did you read about the British paper The Sun throwing "chicken" feathers all over a French "war ship" ? It's my favorite funny story lately!
72 posted on 03/26/2003 2:59:53 PM PST by Reb Raider
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: All
FROM THE HOUSE

Powell Testifies Before House

Sec. of State Colin Powell testifies before the House Approps. Subcmte. on Commerce, Justice, State & the Judiciary.

You can see it at their website:

Click Here

It is in the middle and changes for Watch

73 posted on 03/26/2003 3:02:16 PM PST by JustPiper (Anti-War Protestors Are The Terrorist's Bodyguard!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: white trash redneck
Great, may USA be firm and hand Iraq to someone properly selected from the area. The U.N. untied, undone are totally irrevelant and need to be shown the door.
74 posted on 03/26/2003 3:04:21 PM PST by Hila
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
AMERICA ROCKS!
75 posted on 03/26/2003 3:05:43 PM PST by HighRoadToChina (Never Again!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: legman
I hadn't seen that, but it is great news.
76 posted on 03/26/2003 3:07:18 PM PST by Reb Raider
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
Oh my! How refreshing it is to hear those worlds. The U.N. doesn't matter. They didn't pay up, so now they can shut the HELL UP!
77 posted on 03/26/2003 3:08:12 PM PST by YoungKentuckyConservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Reb Raider
Yeah I read that. Hysterical!
78 posted on 03/26/2003 3:08:26 PM PST by dead
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
Screw the UN, France, Russia, Turkey...etc! Our allies and our troops bleed then the Axis of Weasel comes in to make money off of our war dead??

How many divisions does the UN have anyhow??

buHAHAHAHA!
79 posted on 03/26/2003 3:08:36 PM PST by Walkin Man
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kattracks
Man oh man, this is really putting the UN in their place. They are now defunct.
80 posted on 03/26/2003 3:08:40 PM PST by TexanToTheCore
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-106 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson