UN Must Play Central Role in Postwar Iraq: EU Leaders

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, April 18, 2003

UN Must Play Central Role in Postwar Iraq: EU Leaders

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The European Union (EU) said on Thursday in a draft statement that the United Nations should play a central role in postwar Iraq while recognizing responsibility ofthe United States and Britain to ensure security for a transitional period.

A statement drafted by Britain, France, Germany and Spain was still being discussed by leaders of the 15 EU member states.

"The UN must play a central role, including in the process leading towards self-government for the Iraqi people, enlisting its unique capacity and experience in post-conflict union building," said the statement.

However, EU leaders admitted that "at this stage the coalition has the responsibility to ensure a secure environment including for the provision of humanitarian assistance and protection of the cultural heritage and museums."

The draft said the EU would play a "significant role in the political and economic reconstruction of the country."

The EU summit welcomed recent pledges by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to help Iraq, according to the statement.

Putting Iraq in a wider regional context, leaders demanded implementation of an international roadmap aimed at ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and creating a Palestinian state.

"As part of the process of regional security and stability the EU reaffirms its commitment to bring the Israeli-Palestinian peace process to a successful conclusion through the implementation of the steps foreseen in the quartet's road map, keeping within the established time lines," the statement said.

It added that it was "essential that there is an early endorsement by Chairman (Yasser) Arafat and the Palestinian Legislative Council" of a cabinet nominated by Abu Mazen and committed to reform."

The United States continues to be reluctant to let the United Nations take a leading role in postwar Iraq but diplomats here said European governments would keep pressing their case with Washington.

The EU was ever splitted over the Iraq war, with Britain, Spain and Italy backing the US-led military campaign, but France and Germany opposing it.

Several EU states, including Denmark, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, have said they are ready to send peacekeeping troops and police forces to Iraq to stabilize the current situation.

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