If troop surge fails, Bush to...

[ProSense]

Bush may turn to UN in search for Iraq solution

If troop surge fails, strategy is to involve other nations under UN umbrella

Simon Tisdall
Wednesday May 23, 2007
The Guardian

The Bush administration is developing plans to "internationalise" the Iraq crisis, including an expanded role for the United Nations, as a way of reducing overall US responsibility for Iraq's future and limiting domestic political fallout from the war as the 2008 election season approaches.

The move comes amid rising concern in Washington that President George Bush's controversial Baghdad security surge, led by the US commander, General David Petraeus, is not working and that Iran is winning the clandestine battle for control of Iraq.

"Petraeus is brilliant. But he is the captain of a sinking ship," said a former senior administration official who questioned whether Iraq's divided political leadership could prevent a descent into chaos. "Iraq's government is a mobile phone number that doesn't answer. Iraq probably can't be fixed."

<...>

The US plan is expected to call for:

· Expanded UN involvement in overseeing Iraq's full transition to a "normal" democratic state, including an enhanced role for UN humanitarian agencies, the creation of a UN command, and possibly a Muslim-led peacekeeping force

· Increased involvement in Iraq policymaking of UN security council permanent members, Japan and EU countries - in particular, the new conservative government of French president Nicolas Sarkozy

· A bigger support role for regional countries, notably Sunni Arab Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, and international institutions such as the World Bank and IMF

· Renewed efforts to promote Iraqi government self-reliance, including attainment of national reconciliation "benchmarks"

· The accelerated removal of US troops from frontline combat duties as the handover to Iraqi security forces, backed by an increased number of US advisers, proceeds.

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If it fails?

Someone needs to find out if Tisdall received payola.

[RevCheesehead]

1. Shouldn't he have done this before the war started?

Gee, imagine all those nations, jumping in to our rescue. :eyes:

[Ilsa]

2. My first instinct is to wonder why would they want to bail us out?

I ralize there is more at stake to the UN and other nations -- they may want to help Iraq, not us, by intervening.

[fedupinBushcountry]

3. "internationalise" ?

Ummm, can anyone say Poland ?

1st debate:
KERRY: The United Nations, Kofi Annan offered help after Baghdad fell. And we never picked him up on that and did what was necessary to transfer authority and to transfer reconstruction. It was always American-run.

Secondly, when we went in, there were three countries: Great Britain, Australia and the United States. That’s not a grand coalition. We can do better.

LEHRER: Thirty seconds, Mr. President.

BUSH: Well, actually, he forgot Poland. And now there’s 30 nations involved, standing side by side with our American troops.

[ProSense]

5. Kick!

Thanks for the reminder.

[TwilightGardener]

4. Hagel called for this on Face the Nation, and on the Senate floor.

Guess they'll listen to a fellow GOPer, but not Democrats under any circumstances.