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| International | |
| Iraq Sanctions Set to End, France Seeks Unity | |
| 2003-05-22 | |
| Latest on the de-weaseling UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations looked set to end 13 years of crippling sanctions on Iraq on Thursday after Europe's anti-war camp, keen to patch up a rift with Washington, said they would support the U.S.-backed measure. "Of course, we have said all along...." France, Germany and Russia opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, forcing Washington to go to war without U.N. backing. On Wednesday they stressed the importance of unity now that they stand to lose big and said they would support the draft U.S. resolution on ending sanctions that is key to reconstructing Iraq's devastated economy. Washington said Secretary of State Colin Powell would attend a meeting of G8 foreign ministers in Paris on Thursday that may demonstrate to what extent it can now work with anti-war opponents like France. Oh geat, Foggy Bottom will "heal the rift" - wonder what they'll give up to get "unity" "We'll see how much they want to cooperate and move forward," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said. France has appeared keen to repair damaged ties. "The war has taken place. Now it's time to restore the unity of the international community," French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin told France Inter radio on Thursday. STFU asshat "Even if this text does not go as far as would like, we have decided to vote for this resolution," he told a joint news conference with his German and Russian counterparts on Wednesday night. Even if this text does not go as far as would like?? who would like? we? them? nice The three countries would have preferred a greater role for the United Nations in rebuilding Iraq and had wanted a timetable for setting up a legitimate domestic administration. They viewed Washington's latest draft — its third — as an improvement because it allowed for a possible return of U.N. arms inspectors and included U.N. representatives on an international board monitoring Iraqi oil revenues. That's what our State Dept gave up....F&*k
FOLLOWUP: From Islam OnLine... The Security Council voted 14-0 Thursday, May 22, to immediately lift the 13-year-old U.N. sanctions clamped on Iraq in the wake of its invasion of Kuwait and put its economy under the broad control of the U.S.-led occupying forces. Syria, the only Arab member on the council, boycotted the vote, taken in the presence of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. The council adopted Resolution 1483, asking the U.S. and British forces to help form an Iraqi-led interim administration "until an internationally recognized, representative government is established by the Iraqi people." The resolution set up a new Development Fund for Iraq under the central bank, supervised by the Anglo-American forces. Iraq's oil revenues will be deposited in the fund and disbursed at the direction of the occupying powers in consultation with the interim administration. It also asked Annan to appoint a special representative for Iraq, to contribute to setting up the interim authority and to take part in an advisory board auditing the Development Fund. | |
| Posted by:Frank G |
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