‘Iraq Needs ... Our Aid,’ Bush Says

He offers U.N. bigger role in rebuilding, but won’t yield on timing of power transfer

Tuesday, September 23, 2003

By David Gregory in Washington

& Andrea Mitchell in New York

NBC Writers

The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report


“My concern is that, if it were to be adopted, it could set precedents that resulted in a proliferation of the unilateral and lawless use of force, with or without credible justification,” Annan said.

He said the U.N. Charter allowed military action for the purpose of self-defense, “but until now, it has been understood that when states go beyond that and decide to use force to deal with broader threats to international peace and security, they need the unique legitimacy provided by the United Nations.”

Annan did extend an olive branch in the text of his speech, saying the 15-member Security Council, which is in charge of war and peace, might need to consider rewriting the rule book for the use of force.

“Its members may need to begin a discussion on the criteria for an early authorization of coercive measures to address certain types of threats -- for instance, terrorist groups armed with weapons of mass destruction,” Annan’s text said.

NEW YORK -- NBC
President Bush on Tuesday sought international support for rebuilding Iraq in an address to the United Nations, saying, “The nation of Iraq needs and deserves our aid -- and all nations of good will should step forward and provide that support.” But Bush also said that a democratic transition in Iraq won’t be rushed, drawing a new call by France’s president for a “realistic” timetable to be overseen by the United Nations.

Addressing the U.N. General Assembly six months after the United States and Britain abandoned diplomacy and went to war with Iraq without its explicit support, Bush was alternately conciliatory and firm as he asked members of the world body to help shoulder the burden of stabilizing the nation.

Bush said he recognized that “some of the sovereign nations of this assembly disagreed with our actions” but said unity remained on the fundamental principles and objectives of the United Nations, adding, “So let us move forward.”

But he also made it clear that he would not accede to demands by France and other critics of the U.S.-led war on Iraq to speed up the transfer of power to an Iraqi provisional government.

“The primary goal of our coalition in Iraq is self-government for the people of Iraq, reached by orderly and democratic means,” Bush said. “This process must unfold according to the needs of Iraqis - neither hurried nor delayed by the wishes of other parties.”

Bush’s address drew a muted response from French President Jacques Chirac, who has led the drive for a quick handover of power.

Chirac, addressing the General Assembly shortly after Bush spoke, said the transfer of power needs to be conducted according to a “realistic timetable.”

“In Iraq, the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqis, who must have sole responsibility for their future, is essential for stability and reconstruction,” Chirac said.

It was not clear whether the French president was backing away from his stand that the handover to the Iraqis should occur in a matter of months, rather than the year or more envisioned by U.S. officials.

But German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder told reporters that he wanted to see power handed over to the Iraqi people in a “matter of months.”

It was Schroeder’s most specific comments yet on a timetable. Previously, Schroeder had said Berlin would like to see it take place “as quickly as possible.”

* EXPANDED ROLE FOR U.N.

* BRITAIN FINDS MIDDLE GROUND

* ANNAN QUESTIONS PRE-EMPTIVE FORCE

* BREMER SEEKS FUNDING

(More: MSNBC.com)
2003 © NBC News.

Dan