U.S. abandons plan for greater U.N. role in Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.statesman.com/nationworld/content/news/081303/0813iraq.html

By Steven R. Weisman with Felicity Barringer

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Wednesday, August 13, 2003

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration has abandoned the idea of giving the United Nations more of a role in the occupation of Iraq as sought by France, India and other countries as a condition for their participation in peacekeeping there, administration officials said on Wednesday.

Instead, the officials said, the United States would widen its effort to enlist other countries to assist the occupation forces in Iraq, which are dominated by the 139,000 U.S. troops there.

In addition to American forces in Iraq, there are 21,000 troops representing 18 countries. At present, 11,000 of that number are from Britain. The United States plans to seek larger numbers to help, especially with relief supplies that are coming from another dozen countries.

Administration officials said that in spite of the difficult security situation in Iraq, there was a consensus in the administration that it would be better to work with these countries than to involve the United Nations or countries that opposed the war and are now eager to exercise influence in a postwar Iraq.

more

[Maple]

1. In other words

the UN wouldn't go for it, and Bush is trying to save face.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. So who was the western diplomat who said

"The violence is not as bad as everyone thinks" JEEZ....the real story...it's our oil, we stole it fair and square...we don't want to acknowledge that we made a big old mess and the last thing we need is witnesses.

[Gloria]

3. More bribery with weapons, you can bet on it......

eom

[hadrons]

4. Bush won't break the oil contracts ....

Repukes, corporations over soldiers

[SodoffBush]

15. Yep. * won't take his eyes off the black gold

Who cares how many soldiers have to die for it. Heck, they think they're there to liberate the Iraqis, and that ruse seems to be working pretty well so far.

[papau]

5. Flexibility (easier to steal) in electronic voting and Iraq - hate audits

like the UN might try to do.

But "trust me" Bush - The "would I lie? - have I ever lied to you?" - Bush moves on making sure that those that opposed the war are not now allowed to exercise influence in a postwar Iraq. No hard feelings I hope. Damn good thing Bush has patched up our relations with our friends.

Empire - is good! replaces Reagan's "Greed is good".

[Rose Siding]

6. Of course not, they say, even though it would be better!

"The administration is not willing to confront going to the Security Council and saying, 'We really need to make Iraq an international operation,"' said an administration official. "You can make a case that it would be better to do that, but, right now, the situation in Iraq is not that dire."

Not that dire? How bad must it become before it's dire? I shudder to think.

[scarletwoman]

7. Gee, what a shock.... (NOT!)

Many administration members say that France, Germany, Russia and other countries demanding such a role are actually doing so to try to get more contracts and economic benefits for themselves.

Yup, all those "contracts and economic benefits" belong to BUSHCO!

sw

[blm]

8. They have to be INSANE.

.

[DeathvadeR]

9. Slap another Star on the flag..... n/t

[AnnabelLee]

10. Who's left?

India, France, & Germany said no...Britain's pretty much tapped out...I don't hear any more offers from Australia, not that they have all that many troops anyway...Spain, bushco's steadfast ally, ain't sendin' any more of theirs...it looks like Italy has decided to sit down & shut up...All of the poor nations that are trying to get a few fighter planes have already sent their sacrificial lambs...can you imagine bushco trying to talk Russia or China into sending troops?

[Philosophy]

11. They don't even try to hide it any more

There could be only one reason why they would think that not allowing the UN counries that did not support our invasion is a punishment - because they really perceive of the resources of Iraq as our "spoils" of the war. They are so delusional that they truly believe that the American people have followed them so far to the right that we would prefer to sacrifice the lives of our soldiers just to satisfy their own greed.

[Devils Advocate NZ]

12. Check out the spin...

This is REAL spin, spin so good that you don't even notice it, but just absorb it without thought:

The administration's position could complicate its hopes of bringing a large number of American troops home in short order. The length of the American occupation depends on how quickly the country can be stabilized and attacks and uprisings brought under control.

Did you see it? Read that last sentence again if you didn't.

Now do you see it? The length of the occupation depends on HOW QUICKLY the country can be stabilised and attacks and uprisings brought under control.

HOW QUICKLY rather that WHETHER. In other words they are saying there is no doubt whatsoever that the US will bring the situation under control, the only thing in doubt is how long it will take!

Brilliant! Most people wont even notice this LIE and will soon be thinking the same thing. But guess what? It is anything but certain that the US will gain control of this situation, and in fact the longer this goes on, the less likely it will be, because more and more families will have a reason to HATE the US and US troops as their family members become "collateral damage".

[Voltaire99]

13. Nice post

Good dissection of this one, DA.

I hate to be too cynical, but the Bushmen are probably right in guessing that they can ride out the US service deaths through the next election if they can only bring gas prices down in time. The nihilistic and saccharine Fox News Mind will go for that--the private equation will be, "I grieve for the Fallen Heroes who made the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. And the only way I can honor them is with this cheap full tank for my SUV. Yes, I support the war, as every good American does..."

Meanwhile, as for stabilization, there is always good old fashioned Christian slaughter to keep the natives in line...

[GCP]

16. I wonder if the troops know about this

The resident is going to a military base today in San Diego to "eat lunch with them" and then go on to yet another fund-raiser.

I can only hope some of those military families have the guts to protest him and his phoney war.

[joshdawg]

14. One thing for sure,

is that this administration will never be accused of doing anything intelligent.

[Sushi_lover]

17. U.S. blood for oil.

Bush can't get U.N. to donate any blood for free. Bush won't offer U.N. any of the oil.

[Beetwasher]

18. Our troops are on their own, with a paycut to boot!

How nice...But it's a DRY heat...