Powell Stresses US Leading Role in Postwar Iraq

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, April 04, 2003

Powell Stresses US Leading Role in Postwar Iraq

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday that the United States and Britain should play a "leading role" in postwar Iraq.

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US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday that the United States and Britain should play a "leading role" in postwar Iraq.

"One always has to remember that it was a (US-British) coalition that came together and took on this difficult mission at political expense, at expense of...the money that it cost but at the expense of lives as well," he told a news conference at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

"When we have succeeded, and when we look down the road to create this better life for the Iraqi people...I think the coalition has to play the leading role in determining the way forward. This is not to say that we have shut others out."

After meeting with his counterparts from NATO and the European Union (EU), Powell also said the United Nations should play a role in a post-Saddam Iraq but what kind of the role remained to be defined.

"We are still examining the proper role for the United Nations. I am not surprised that there is not consensus yet because the debate and discussion has just begun. We had a healthy dialogue," he said.

Powell also told reporters that NATO members were willing to consider a role in postwar Iraq if the need arose.

"I'm pleased there is at least a receptive attitude here today that NATO is willing to consider that (role)", Powell said.

"The important thing is that no one raised any objection to that possibility," he added.

Powell says US ready for Mideast peace

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday in Brussels that the United States was ready to implement a long-awaited "road map" for peace in the Middle East, but could not impose it on the Israelis and Palestinians.

In a one-day Brussels tour for consultation with foreign ministers from European allies, part of them opposing the US-led invasion of Iraq, Powell said the United States intended to promote the plan "as it is" without amendments by either side, a US official said.

But Powell expected no magic things after issuance of the peace plan, said the official who asked not to be named.

"It's going to take a heck of a lot of work to get the sides to implement the road map but (US) President (George W.) Bush has committed to work very hard," the official quoted Powell as saying.

Speaking at a news conference later, Powell said the Israelis and Palestinians will have an opportunity to comment and talk to each other about the plan when they receive it.

"And we are ready to engage in a very, very comprehensive and forceful way," he said without mentioning whether the two sides could amend the plan.

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