US draft resolution on Iraq opens old wounds

A US draft resolution circulated to the UN Security Council members, seeking an international force for Iraq, has met with stiff opposition from both the French and German governments.

The resolution would be the first step in paving the way for a multinational peacekeeping force to be deployed in Iraq with UN Security Council support. However, parts of the draft resolution - which calls for the US to retain overall control in Iraq - has met with a less than favourable response in some quarters. It has threatened to reopen the rift between France and Germany and the United States over Iraq.

Speaking after a summit with German counterpart, Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, French President Jacques Chirac said they were prepared to examine the proposals, but that they were a long way from the “primary objective” which he described as “the transfer of political responsibility to an Iraqi government as soon as possible”.

Mr Schroder, agreeing with M. Shirac, stated that he considered the proposals contained within the draft as “not dynamic” and “not sufficient”. Mr Schroder added that he would be seeking UN control of the political process.

The draft resolution, which was circulated to the 15-strong UN Security Council, represents an about-face by the Bush administration, which had previously strenuously sought to block any UN involvement in military operations within Iraq. Calling for an international force with UN Security Council backing, the draft has met with scepticism from UN diplomats still smarting from the US go-it-alone approach on Iraq.

Detailed examination of the proposals by the UN Security Council - which is currently chaired by Britain - are likely to begin in New York next week. France, who hold the power of veto, must back the draft if it is to accepted.

(SP)