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Us counting on united natons for help in iraq { February 19 2004 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53909-2004Feb19.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53909-2004Feb19.html
U.S. Counting on U.N. for Help in Iraq
By BARRY SCHWEID
The Associated Press
Thursday, February 19, 2004; 8:16 AM
WASHINGTON - As it weighs a major change in how to transfer political power to Iraqis, the Bush administration is relying ever more heavily on the United Nations to help clear the remaining high hurdles ahead.
It is an ironic turn of events for an administration that worked hard to keep the United Nations role in the background in the reconstruction of Iraq after the toppling of President Saddam Hussein. Now the United States is counting on the U.N.'s influence to help reach a solution to the ever-more complex political stalemate.
Any U.N. help may be slow in coming though. It could take at least a week to 10 days more for Secretary-General Kofi Annan to formulate all of his recommendations, according to one U.S. official's estimate. That would be a crucial delay with a July 1 self-imposed American deadline looming for the handover of power in Iraq.
Specifically, the Bush administration is hoping Annan will not only say that direct elections are impossible by July 1 - something he is expected to do - but also will endorse the idea of extending and expanding the U.S.-picked Iraqi Governing Council so it can take interim control of the country on July 1.
Annan was due to receive a firsthand report at the United Nations on Thursday from Lakhdar Brahimi, his special adviser who led a U.N. team to Iraq to assess prospects for a compromise approach to the political transition.
But until he consults with other governments, Annan is prepared only to say he does not think an election can be arranged by July 1. On other provisions of the U.S.-backed self-rule plan that has run into increased Iraqi opposition, Annan wants to hold talks first with some two-dozen additional governments.
President Bush, in an interview Wednesday with the Middle East Television Network, said, "We just must all work together to come up with an Iraqi solution as to how best to get a constitution and then direct elections."
Asked about a demand by Shiite leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani for direct elections, he said, "I think the fact that he's willing to be involved is a very positive development. It shows people care about the future of Iraq."
Whatever the timetable and process for a return of sovereignty, Bush said he's generally heartened by the response of various elements of Iraqi society.
"It looks like there are some sharp elbows," he said. "But I am encouraged by what is taking place in Iraq. I appreciate so very much the fact that the Shiias speak out for freedom. I appreciate the fact that the Sunnis are questioning whether or not they have a role in the future of their country. I appreciate that the Kurds are active."
Under the emerging U.S. alternative, the U.S.-appointed Governing Council would be extended and expanded so it could take interim control in Baghdad on July 1 until an Iraqi legislature could be elected later, according to a senior U.S. official.
The Bush administration is eager to see whether Annan approves of the idea of endowing the Council with sovereignty because that would "give it legs," the official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The battered U.S. transition plan - agreed to last November - instead featured a complicated system of caucuses to choose an interim legislative assembly. Shiite clerics balked at that, fearing their majority sect would lose out. They instead demanded direct elections.
That led to the current stalemate, and the reason that the United States is leaning on the United Nations for help.
Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday he was keeping an open mind until he heard from Annan, as did White House spokesman Scott McClellan - a deference to the United Nations that marks a broad philosophical shift within the Bush administration.
State Department spokesman Richard Boucher was even more blunt Wednesday about the key role now played by the United Nations. "We haven't just made the trip to Iraq," Boucher said. "We haven't talked to all the Iraqi people."
Yet it's unclear whether the new U.S. alternative - even if it is endorsed by Annan - would really satisfy those in Iraq pressing for direct elections.
Some governing council members say there has not been a thorough discussion of alternatives in the event the U.S. caucus plan is junked. Other Iraqis and coalition officials have expressed doubts about turning over power to the Iraqi Governing Council, even if it has only a limited mandate to organize an election and a short time in power.
The problem, says Sunni Kurd member Mahmoud Othman, is that many Iraqis still feel the governing council "was imposed on the country by the Americans."
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EDITOR'S NOTE - Barry Schweid has covered foreign affairs for The Associated Press since 1973.
© 2004 The Associated Press
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