(Dem. Senator Maria) Cantwell calls for wider U.N. role

[govegan]

Link: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/136981_cantwell28.html

Sen. Maria Cantwell yesterday called on the United States and its allies to commit more troops to Iraq and Afghanistan and urged the Bush administration to allow the United Nations a bigger role in rebuilding the stricken countries.

Cantwell offered her assessment a day after returning from a congressionally sponsored trip that took her and six other lawmakers to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel and Kuwait. "I think we need to listen to the people on the ground," Cantwell said, adding that extra help is especially important in Afghanistan.

"I think in Afghanistan, people feel they've had resources pulled out and they don't want to be forgotten," she said.

<snip>

"I think we need to work hard as a country in encouraging Pakistan and Turkey and others to get Islamic troops there. That would be helpful," Cantwell said.

*****************************

Not enough oil in Afghanistan, Senator. This administration is ready to move on.

[bahrbearian]

1. Good, We need more Like Cantwell !

[jono]

2. Pffft!

She wouldn't have to call for a wider UN role, if only she had not voted yes on the Iraq war vote and waited for UN to do its job THE FIRST TIME. I bet the rest of the world would be more willing to help with Afghanistan, too, if they didn't get burned so badly on Iraq. I'm not buying - she screwed up royally, and now she can kiss my ass.

[stevedeshazer]

3. Well, I applaud Senator Cantwell

But no less than Richard Armitage is calling for the same, so I can't extol her bravery here. She's already covered herself.

<snip>
Aug. 28 — The Bush administration has for the first time said it is
open to establishing a U.N.-sanctioned multinational force in
Iraq if it is headed by a U.S. commander, but France expressed
reservations about such an arrangement Thursday, saying “a real
international force” and “a real change of approach” were
needed.

http://msnbc.com/news/951994.asp?0sl=-20&cp1=1

[searchingforlight]

4. We never listen to the French but they are right again.

We are the direct target of the wrath of these people. We need to have a much lower profile. A multinational presence is the only thing that will help.

We need to listen to EVERYONE!!!

[PATRICK]

5. Still bait annd switch

Maybe for home consumption since the French and others aren't stupid enough to trust Bush terms. They want the UN in as bandage for several necessary reasons but will not, cannot let go of their "prioze", their plan.

All along they wanted NATO and the UN(hah, suckers, use them and destroy them) propping up our empire garrisons as we jumped to the next target.

I think they feel they have Bushamerica contained in Iraq. What Bush is offering is squirming on the hook, but essentially nothing more than Plan A with window dressing.

They stink at negotiating anyway.

Our troops and the Iraqis die in between.