Russia, France want U.S. to define power for Iraqis

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N12467067.htm

UNITED NATIONS, May 12 (Reuters) - Russia, France and others want the United States to make sure Iraqis have a major say in their future before endorsing any U.N. resolution on the official end of the occupation, diplomats said on Wednesday.

Both countries are engaged in talks among the 15 U.N. Security Council members, organized by the United States and ally Britain, to discuss concepts for a resolution that would endorse an interim Iraqi government to take office on June 30.

No text was circulated on Wednesday at the second informal meeting, in order not to interfere with complex talks currently conducted in Baghdad by U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi on the form of a caretaker government. It is to be in office until elections planned for January 2005.

But so far there is little rancor reminiscent of the split over endorsing the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq last year, which France, Russia, Germany, China and others opposed.

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[CharlesGroce]

1. Hey

I thought we were liberating them, and then they would make their own government, and give us blow jobs all the way to Bagdhad for freeing then, and instead I get this France and Germany want the Iraqi's to have a partial say in their own governance. I mean, what the fuck? Partial governance? Didn't they know that we are really good at this, and that they need not worry about their part in governance? How rude!

[Miss Authoritiva]

2. Well, this could screw up Bush's pre-election photo ops

"We are trying to persuade the Americans to agree to a real transfer of sovereignty," he said adding that a new Iraqi government "must have its say on security matters."

I mean, how can Bush do the hand-shaking, winking, waving routine at the raising of the new Iraqi flag at the United Nations (just in time for the Republican Convention in New York City) if the UN is going to get picky, picky, picky about a "real transfer of sovereignty."

[T Bone]

3. maybe the UN will want the Iraqis to have a legislature ?

unlike the current US 'plan' where there would be NO legislature.
If that isn't a clue what the Busholinis think of real democracy I don't know what is.

:shrug: