Vague Pitch Leaves Mostly Puzzlement [View All]

[cthrumatrix]

Vague Pitch Leaves Mostly Puzzlement

By Glenn Kessler
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 24, 2003; Page A01


UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 23 -- In his speech today to the U.N. General Assembly, President Bush tried to walk a fine line between defending a war deeply unpopular in much of the world and looking for help from reluctant countries to rebuild Iraq. The result left diplomats and lawmakers puzzled about his ultimate intentions.

Bush, in fact, sidestepped direct answers to many of the questions that have arisen since the administration said it would seek a Security Council resolution that would expand the United Nations' role in Iraq and call on countries to contribute more troops and money. How quickly would the United States grant sovereignty to the Iraqis? Would the administration grant any decision-making role to the United Nations in exchange for its imprimatur? Or does the administration simply want assistance without giving up much in return?

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"The United Nations has just weathered one of its most serious trials in its history: respect for the Charter, the use of force, were at the heart of the debate," Chirac said. "The war, which was started without the authorization of the Security Council, has shaken the multilateral system."

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54800-2003Sep23.html