The Hindu : Bremer rules out U.N. force for Iraq

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 25, 2003

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International

Bremer rules out U.N. force for Iraq

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington JULY 24. At a time when there is international pressure on the United States to have the United Nations play a more meaningful role in the reconstruction and stabilisation of Iraq, the top American civilian official in Iraq, Paul Bremer, has said that at the present time he did not see any indication that Washington was looking for a U.N. force.

But Mr. Bremer has made the distinction between a United Nations force and a request from the U.N. to other countries to send peacekeeping units.

At the Washington Foreign Press Centre, he was asked by an Indian correspondent what the hesitation was in making the operation in Iraq a U.N. one as opposed to a United States' work. "At the present time, I do not see any indication that we are inclined to seek a U.N. force. I know some countries have said, including yours, that it would be easier for them to provide troops if there were some kind of U.N. request for those troops. That's a different matter", Mr. Bremer responded.

"The Secretary of State mentioned over the weekend that the administration was willing to consider the question of whether there should be a U.N. resolution inviting countries to provide troops", he said. "But I think it's quite clear from transition economies, countries in political transition over the last 20 years, that it's important to have unity of command in the military side."

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