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International relations

The Bush Administration's Plan for Iraq: A Handover with Strings Attached

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Bush administration's plan for Iraq at the United Nations has raised concerns about the internationalization of the conflict and the country's reconstruction. According to a US-UK proposal, a UN Assistance Mission for Iraq would assume responsibility for the transition process, drafting a constitution, and holding elections. However, the UN is treading carefully, aware of its past failures in similar situations, such as in Bosnia and Rwanda, where it was asked to fill policy vacuums.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Bush administration wants to internationalize the conflict and reconstruction of Iraq through a UN Assistance Mission for Iraq.
  • The UN is hesitant to take on a leading role, citing past failures in similar situations, such as in Bosnia, Rwanda, and Somalia.
  • The UN has a history of scoring notable successes in election supervision and transitional governance operations, including in Namibia, Cambodia, Mozambique, and East Timor.
  • The UN's ability to manage conflict and humanitarian assistance depends on the support of powerful member states.
  • The absence of a consensual institution-building framework, an effective security framework, and local capability to maintain security in a society ruled by law, not force, is a major challenge in Iraq.
  • The US has a history of shifting the responsibility for its actions onto the UN, as seen in its handling of the Iraq war and the aftermath of the invasion.
  • The UN's director of public information from 1991 to 2003 and current fellow at the Shorenstein Center at Harvard University suggests that the UN should be cautious in its approach to the latest challenge.

Statistics:

  • 140,000 US troops are expected to remain in Iraq after June 30.
  • The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq would be responsible for drafting a constitution and holding elections.
  • The UN's past failures in similar situations include the genocide in Rwanda and the blamed deaths of US soldiers in Somalia.
  • The US-UK proposal draft resolution circulating in New York outlines the creation of a UN Assistance Mission for Iraq.
  • The Security Council has the power to arbitrate war and peace, but its effectiveness depends on the support of powerful member states.
  • The US has a history of isolating the UN, as seen in the post-World War I League of Nations, with a similar fate awaiting the current UN if it does not support the US war plans.

Sources:

  • Woodward, B. (Book Review: Plan of Attack).
  • Writer (Peacekeeping and Public Information)
  • Shorenstein Center at Harvard University.

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