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Skunk · 09-11-2003, 06:31 AM

France and Germany and Russia have offered up a very reasonable compromise - which has been rejected!:

US pressed over Iraqi sovereignty
Three of the US’ most powerful critics have offered President George Bush a compromise deal on Iraq in the wake of his speech begging for help in stabilising the invaded country.

France, Germany and Russia have agreed to approve American military leadership but have demanded US civilian control should be downgraded in favour of Iraqis and the United Nations.

The three nations submitted amendments, circulated on Wednesday, to a US-drafted Security Council resolution shortly before a weekend foreign ministers meeting in Geneva to see if a compromise can be reached.

However, US Secretary of State Colin Powell immediately ridiculed the idea of giving up power quickly, during an interview with Aljazeera.

"Suggestions that ... all we have to do is get up tomorrow morning and find an Iraqi who is passing by and give him the government (and) say, 'You're now in charge and Ambassador (Paul) Bremer and the American Army are leaving,' that's not an acceptable solution," Powell said.

In Bush's televised speech on Sunday, he asked other members of the UN to support the administration's attempts to rebuild war-ravaged Iraq.

"Members of the United Nations now have an opportunity - and the responsibility - to assume a broader role in assuring that Iraq becomes a free and democratic nation," he said.

The Bush administration has proposed transforming the occupying armies into a UN-authorized multinational force, with an expanded command centre under US leadership.

Washington's aim is to get troops involved from nations including India, Pakistan, Turkey and Bangladesh, who say they need a UN mandate to participate.

France and Germany made no objection to the force but they want the United States and Britain to accelerate the end of the occupation and give Iraqis more authority over civilian life, including oil resources.

The Franco-German document, issued separately from milder Russian amendments, calls for the UN endorsement of Iraq's Governing Council (IGC) and cabinet as a "trustee of Iraqi sovereignty" until an elected government is established.

I can't understand why the US would reject this - they get to keep full military control and the US appointed Iraqi Governing Council (read: US friendly govt.) remains until an elected government is appointed. In return they get all the troops and cash they need.

The offer doesn't get any better than this.

Putting French and Russian troops under US control is going to be a bitter pill for those nations to swallow - and paying for the results of a war that they did not support will be equally painful - so this is a real compromise.

[ 09-11-2003, 06:50 AM: Message edited by: Skunk ]

09-11-2003, 06:31 AM	#42
Skunk Banned User Join Date: September 3, 2001 Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Age: 63 Posts: 1,463	France and Germany and Russia have offered up a very reasonable compromise - which has been rejected!: US pressed over Iraqi sovereignty Three of the US’ most powerful critics have offered President George Bush a compromise deal on Iraq in the wake of his speech begging for help in stabilising the invaded country. France, Germany and Russia have agreed to approve American military leadership but have demanded US civilian control should be downgraded in favour of Iraqis and the United Nations. The three nations submitted amendments, circulated on Wednesday, to a US-drafted Security Council resolution shortly before a weekend foreign ministers meeting in Geneva to see if a compromise can be reached. However, US Secretary of State Colin Powell immediately ridiculed the idea of giving up power quickly, during an interview with Aljazeera. "Suggestions that ... all we have to do is get up tomorrow morning and find an Iraqi who is passing by and give him the government (and) say, 'You're now in charge and Ambassador (Paul) Bremer and the American Army are leaving,' that's not an acceptable solution," Powell said. In Bush's televised speech on Sunday, he asked other members of the UN to support the administration's attempts to rebuild war-ravaged Iraq. "Members of the United Nations now have an opportunity - and the responsibility - to assume a broader role in assuring that Iraq becomes a free and democratic nation," he said. The Bush administration has proposed transforming the occupying armies into a UN-authorized multinational force, with an expanded command centre under US leadership. Washington's aim is to get troops involved from nations including India, Pakistan, Turkey and Bangladesh, who say they need a UN mandate to participate. France and Germany made no objection to the force but they want the United States and Britain to accelerate the end of the occupation and give Iraqis more authority over civilian life, including oil resources. The Franco-German document, issued separately from milder Russian amendments, calls for the UN endorsement of Iraq's Governing Council (IGC) and cabinet as a "trustee of Iraqi sovereignty" until an elected government is established. I can't understand why the US would reject this - they get to keep full military control and the US appointed Iraqi Governing Council (read: US friendly govt.) remains until an elected government is appointed. In return they get all the troops and cash they need. The offer doesn't get any better than this. Putting French and Russian troops under US control is going to be a bitter pill for those nations to swallow - and paying for the results of a war that they did not support will be equally painful - so this is a real compromise. [ 09-11-2003, 06:50 AM: Message edited by: Skunk ]