America fights to take charge of UN peacekeepers around world

[cal04]

Move could help exit strategy from Iraq

The United States is lobbying to put an American, possibly a general, in charge of all UN peacekeeping operations in a move that could offer Washington an exit strategy in Iraq.

The unprecedented US bid for the top UN peacekeeping post would place an American in command of the 95,000 UN peacekeepers in trouble spots from Lebanon to Sudan.

The American lobbying effort is set to prove hugely controversial. If successful, the change would amount to a radical remaking of the organisation, bringing it closer to its origin in the Second World War as a US-led alliance.

(snip)
An American-led UN peacekeeping department could eventually help Washington to replace the US-led coalition in Iraq with a UN-flagged force, diplomats and experts say.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2435289,00.html

[LynnTheDem]

1. Funny thang tho...many UN nations who have Peacekeepers REFUSE

to be under US control.

Gee, wonder why.