Why the UN? What's the Real Reason?

[Sticky]

I can't help thinking Bush is setting up a scapegoat situation here.

On one hand I want the UN to go in there and help in any way they can. The troops need to rotate home and the Iraqi people deserve to not have their country over-run by American tanks.

But if the UN goes in will the daily headlines begin to read, "UN peacekeeper dies" instead of "American soldier dies"?

Is this more about PR and presenting a better headline to the American people? Or is it about having the UN as a ready scapegoat for the many mistakes being made in Iraq?

[Ein]

1. It's likely both, imo

The reversal of policy.... well. They must've figured out a way to have it both ways: profit off the Iraqi oil, and have a coalition of countries that refused our war fight it for us.

Scumbags.

[Clete]

2. The real reason...body bags.

If our soldiers are coming home in body bags right up to the primaries, it is very bad for BushCo. If the soldiers are UN peacekeepers, then the deaths will probably get little if any mention in the press. The soldiers won't be Americans and all will be forgotten.

[legin]

3. The Hamre report is worth a read

http://www.cfr.org/publication.php?id=6132
(click the 'Full Text' link, Adobe required, 15 pages, easy read)

One of the recomendations is "Shit!! We got to get some more people involved quick" (almost).

[LeftCoast]

4. from the news reports I've read

it looks like the US proposal is basically the same situation as now, but the UN comes in and helps. In other words, the US in charge of everything, but the UN (helps) pays for it with $$ and troops. Additionally, do you really think they're going to give up some of those juicy no-bid Haliburton contracts to our "allies"??? If my take on this is right, I don't think there's a hope in hell that the Sec Council will go along with this.

I really don't understand the point of the UN foray.

[sushi]

5. This is Bush's unilateral war

Now he wants help from the world body that he arrogantly ignored?
I really hope the members of the UN now ignore him, but I don't think it will, and, in the interest of the Iraqi people, it shouldn't.
I hope Bush has learnt a lesson. Pride comes before fall. So, Rumsfeld could do with help from "old Europe!"

[Ein]

6. Not Pride, Oil. n/t