UNITED NATIONS, April 19: The UN Security Council members remain divided on ways to deal with the postwar issues and are unlikely to act swiftly over the US request to lift sanctions against Iraq, diplomats here said.
The United States plans to ask the United Nations to lift sanctions against Iraq in phases, gradually turning over parts of the economy to a new Iraqi authority, according to a report in Saturday’s New York Times.
However, issues of disarmament, oil for food programme controlled by the UN for now, and ultimately a larger role for the world body in running the interim government in Iraq are on the minds of most Council members.
Quoting Bush administration officials, the Times said the step-by-step approach was the latest US tactic to counter assertions by France, Russia and other Security Council members that they would oppose lifting sanctions without a broader role for the United Nations than envisaged by Washington.
But for both sides the stakes are high — possibly too high to compromise.
First, there’s control over oil revenue from the world’s second largest oil reserves. Then there is debate over whether the United States or the United Nations will disarm Iraq. Lastly, there are the winners and losers when reconstruction contracts are awarded.
While the US-led coalition has routed Saddam’s regime, the United Nations still maintains significant leverage through sanctions. It controls Iraq’s economy, its trade, and its oil income. UN inspectors are charged with destruction of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction.
The Times article said that in theory, France and Russia could veto the lifting of sanctions, possibly leading to a “messy situation” involving a slew of lawsuits.
Bush administration officials told the Times there had been a lot of discussion about the issue, with the administration now leaning toward having several UN resolutions and letting Iraqis build their economy in phases before getting full control of oil.
Many UN diplomats have insisted that sanctions imposed in 1990 should not be lifted against Iraq until the Security Council has certified that Iraq is free of weapons of mass destruction, the main reason cited by Washington for invading the country and toppling Saddam Hussein.
Chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix said this week that his experts could be back in Iraq within two weeks of a green light from the Security Council.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan said it is vital for the council to avoid recriminations, to heal the bitter divisions, and to become a relevant player again.
But the Bush administration makes no secret about plans for taking the lead in rebuilding Iraq — giving US and coalition companies the lion’s share of reconstruction contracts, while relegating the United Nations primarily to humanitarian work.
President Bush went a step further on Wednesday, calling for sanctions to be lifted quickly, so Iraq’s oil revenue can be used to finance reconstruction.
Some council diplomats saw Bush’s unexpected call as a public promise to the Iraqi people to end punishing sanctions imposed after Saddam invaded Kuwait in 1990. Some also felt it a challenge to the Security Council not to squelch US plans.
