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Peaceful Iraq is in the interest of every nation: Bush

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington Sept. 19. The U.S. President, George W. Bush, has expressed doubts on a new resolution on Iraq being ready by the time he addresses the United Nations next week. To a question at a news conference, he said, " Probably not... No, I don't think so."

At an appearance at Camp David with Jordan's King Abdullah, Mr. Bush argued that it was in the best interests of every nation to get involved in Iraq and that any U.N. resolution must ensure an "orderly transfer" of sovereignty.

Asked if he could count on Europe to provide financial contributions and what would happen if they did not, Mr. Bush said, "Do I think we can count on the Europeans to provide — yes, I think we're getting help... In terms of reconstruction help we're getting aid, we're getting help and Colin Powell will continue to ask for help.

One of the things I must do and continue to do is to make the case that a peaceful and secure Iraq is not only in the interest of the neighbourhood... but it's in Europe's interests as well and the Americans' interests." On the U.N. resolution that the U.S. is seeking, Mr. Bush stressed that if nations felt that they need a resolution that would justify their participation, they will have one. But this new resolution "must promote an orderly transfer of sovereignty to what will be a freely elected government based upon a constitution. So the constitution must be written, and there will be free elections and then sovereignty will occur once the Iraqi people are able to express their opinions. And so we will be working on that as well".

Mr. Bush is to address the U.N. on September 23. He will be in New York for two days and meet many leaders, including the Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan. The Republican administration is keen that countries such as India, Pakistan and Turkey should participate in the so-called stabilisation of Iraq by sending troops; and in spite of the signals to the contrary from some nations, Washington has not given up hope.

The impression in New York is that Mr. Bush may be correct in his assessment that a resolution may not be ready before he addresses the U.N. In fact, diplomats and officials are making the point that the U.S. has not even formally circulated a revised draft that it had promised to.

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