Sen. Lugar Calls for New U.N. Resolution on Iraq
Sun August 10, 2003 11:38 AM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States should seek a new U.N. resolution on Iraq to help secure greater international support in reconstruction and peacekeeping efforts, a key Senate Republican said on Sunday.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar of Indiana said a U.N. resolution would also provide "greater legitimacy" to commercial contracts in Iraq.

"I think we need to seek a resolution or more resolutions from the United Nations to give more legitimacy, more reason why other nations will come to the floor -- specifically India, perhaps Germany," he told reporters.

France, Russia and Germany, who all opposed the U.S.-led war that ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, have indicated they would send peacekeeping troops or help in other ways if the United Nations had a bigger role.

However, the Bush administration has said the current U.N. resolution provides enough authority for other countries to contribute.

Lugar said the White House should also provide Congress with a 5-year budget plan for providing security, humanitarian aid and other expenses related to rebuilding Iraq.

"At this time, the administration must give a much better idea of our expenses over the next four or five years in time," he said.