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Annan seeks to internationalize efforts in iraq { May 2 2004 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1083535812937&call_pageid=968256289824&col=968705899037http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1083535812937&call_pageid=968256289824&col=968705899037
May. 2, 2004. 07:51 PM
Annan seeks to 'internationalize' efforts in Iraq
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Secretary General Kofi Annan called for more countries to join the effort to stabilize Iraq and said today the United States was "intensifying" talks with France, Germany and Russia, which opposed the war.
Annan indicated that the three key opponents of the U.S.-led invasion weren't prepared to send troops yet to join the coalition force on the ground in Iraq, but he didn't rule out the possibility that they might in the future.
"It would be extremely helpful to the process if we can really internationalize the efforts in Iraq and bring in everybody," he said in a wide-ranging interview on NBC television, which focused primarily on Iraq-related issues.
As Annan's top envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, prepares to head back to Iraq this week, many questions remain about the interim Iraqi government he is trying to help put together to take over from the U.S.-led coalition on June 30 — including whether it will have limited or complete sovereignty, its powers, and the future of coalition military forces.
Annan said the United States and Britain — the occupying powers in Iraq — should transfer complete sovereignty to the interim government. But its powers will likely be "limited" because it will be a caretaker government and won't take any decisions "that will bind the duly elected government that's supposed to come into existence in January 2005," he said.
Annan said he expects the UN Security Council to adopt a new resolution that will authorize the multinational force now in Iraq to remain after June 30 and encourage governments "to come together in a genuine international effort to help stabilize Iraq."
The council has already authorized the current multinational force, comprising 138,000 U.S. troops and 24,900 troops from coalition countries.
If other countries decide to deploy troops, Annan said, it might allow the United States to reduce its force, "but it will depend on how fast and how quickly we are able to get other governments to join and provide troops."
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