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US and Britain seek to limit UN role in Iraq

Associated Press

10 May, 2003

America and Britain are seeking UN approval to run Iraq for at least a year in an American proposal that also limits the role of the United Nations in the country.

The long-awaited US draft resolution, to be introduced at the UN Security Council today, outlines an American vision for post-war Iraq sharply at odds with that of several Security Council members, particularly Russia.

The proposal would end UN control over Iraq's oil revenue and let the US-led coalition use the country's vast oil wealth to help finance its reconstruction — with international oversight.

The proposal also calls for the immediate lifting of sanctions against Iraq and would phase out the oil-for-food humanitarian programme over four months. The programme has been feeding 90 per cent of Iraq's 24 million people.

It does not mention any role for UN weapons inspectors, whose return to Iraq Washington opposes.

The proposal also endorses the authority of the United States and Britain to govern Iraq — and it apparently forsees a lengthy stay. It notes that Washington and London sent a letter to the council president recognizing their responsibilities and obligations under international law "as occupying powers."

Under the proposal, the 12-month initial authorisation would be automatically renewed unless the Security Council decided otherwise. Since the United States and Britain have veto power in the council, they could block any attempt to get them to leave Iraq — which is likely to be unacceptable to some council members.

The United States could also face opposition from council members who want the UN to be a major player in creating an interim government for Iraq. The draft resolution does not define the make-up or duties of a provisional government, which if approved would effectively leave it up to the United States and Britain to decide.

The draft resolution was given to some council members last night and US and British officials began lobbying for its approval in capitals of key council nations.

The council faces a deadline just four weeks from now when the current six-month phase of the oil-for-food program expires.

"Our view is that it's desirable to have this resolution passed as soon as possible, that the 3 June deadline for the expiry of the oil-for-food program is in fact very much the outer limit," said US Ambassador John Negroponte.

There is little enthusiasm for another bruising battle in the Security Council following the bitter debate earlier this year over the war itself. The fight shattered the council's unity and left France, Russia, Germany and China at odds with the United States, Britain and Spain.

Nonetheless, council diplomats predict a tough round of negotiations and Russia and France have made their own proposals.

Russia wants UN weapons inspectors to return to Baghdad to certify that Iraq's weapons of mass destruction have been eliminated before sanctions are lifted. It also wants the oil-for-food program continued under UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's authority until Iraq has a legitimate government and sanctions are lifted.

"We believe it's still valid," Russia's UN Ambassador Sergey Lavrov said.

The French proposal calls on the council to suspend sanctions, phase out the oil-for-food program, have US and UN weapons inspectors work together, and lift sanctions when a legitimate Iraqi government is in place.

The US proposal calls on Mr Annan to appoint a UN special coordinator who would work with US and British authorities and the Iraqi people to restore and establish "national and local institutions for representative governance."

The UN coordinator would also promote the delivery of humanitarian aid, reconstruction, human rights, legal and judicial reform and international efforts to rebuild an Iraqi police force, as well as help refugees return.