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Journalism of Courage
France and Germany sought significant changes in the US draft resolution seeking establishment of a multinational force under US control in Iraq as the UN Security Council began discussions on it. Apart from the two countries, India, Turkey and Syria, the only Arab member of the 15-member council, demand much greater role for UN than envisaged in the US proposal even as Britain, Spain and Mexico support it.
After the closed-door consultations yesterday, Council diplomats expressed cautious optimism about an agreed draft emerging but predicted heated negotiations.
However, they were noncommittal on the US desire to have the resolution adopted before September 23 when US President George Bush addresses the annual session of UN General Assembly. Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed the hope that a consensus would be reached among the members.
The draft gives UN role in framing the constitution leading to elections but ensures full military and political control remains with US, something that some of the major powers oppose.
France and Germany want a time-table for occupation to end. The draft, however, only says the US appointed Iraqi Governing Council work with UN and the coalition to chart time-table for framing the constitution leading to elections.
Despite their opposition, France and Germany have not rejected the draft outright and consider it a starting point for negotiations. Diplomats say the US8217;s coming to the Council, after spurning it during war, is in itself considered a climb down.
France is planning to submit some amendments that would, among other things, assure Iraqis that the UN is interested in an end to occupation by the coalition forces. 8212; PTI
