Iraq's roadmap
By
Salama A Salama
While Arab states have yet to adopt a clear position on the role of the UN in post- war Iraq, the US appears to be moving ahead quickly with its own plans for the country. And there are strong indications that the Bush administration wants to monopolise control over security, military and political matters in Iraq during and beyond the transitional period. US Secretary of State Colin Powell made this very clear when he said it would be unreasonable for the US and Great Britain to have exerted such efforts without ultimately having complete control in shaping the country's future.
Following its quick victory in Iraq, the US is now distributing the booty among those who stood by it in the Security Council and participated in its coalition, while punishing those who opposed the decision to go to war by excluding them from a share in the spoils of war.
In the meantime, the US is eager to restrict the UN's role there to dispensing food and humanitarian aid. Consequently, it opposes the deployment of a UN peace-keeping force and the assumption of a role by the international body in paving the way for Iraqi self-governance.
To justify this stance, the hawks in the US administration question the UN's capacity to complete the search for and disposal of weapons of mass destruction. However, it seems that the US's foremost concern is that a new government in Baghdad be friendly to American interests, or rather Israeli ones. It is similarly intent on preventing Iraq from rearming as well as ensuring that reconstruction contracts go to coalition countries.
Under US tutelage, a new Iraqi constitution will be promulgated that is free of Ba'athist, socialist and nationalist ideas which in the past "corrupted" the minds of the Iraqi people.
Standing against the US's ambitions, though, are France, Russia and Germany, who want a major role for the UN. Such an arrangement would be essential to ensuring that a new government in Iraq enjoys international legitimacy. Likewise, it is key to restoring the authority of the international body and repairing US- European relations, which were badly shaken by the US's decision to wage war without Security Council approval.
Such matters were probably the main topics of discussions between French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin and officials in Egypt and in other Arab countries during his tour of the region. They were also probably the focus of the summit in St Petersburg among Russia, France and Germany.
Calling for a principal role for the UN and the Security Council in post-war Iraq is in Egypt's interests as well as those of Arab states. However, statements made so far have only called on the UN to increase its efforts to protect the Iraqi people, providing them with food and humanitarian aid -- in essence no different from the role the US is calling for.
Thus, Arab states have taken a negative position on a vital issue, despite the fact that Iraq is an Arab country and a member of the Arab League, and should not be left to fall prey to the occupying American and British forces. Arab countries must clarify whether they would recognise it or not, and whether Iraq's membership in the Arab League will be suspended until the situation becomes clearer.
In the next few weeks, the US is expected to obtain a mandate from the Security Council on the oil- for-food programme and a new Iraqi government. It is incumbent on Arab countries to develop a clear vision for defending their interests.
