The UN, he argues, is uniquely positioned to do so. He writes:
Precisely because the United Nations did not agree on some earlier actions in Iraq, it now has much-needed credibility with and access to Iraqi groups that must agree to join in the new political process if peace is to prevail. Now is the time for us to draw on that capital.
I want to capture this moment, and I encourage the international community to come together around Iraq through the United Nations.
Not that UN participation will actually amount to much of anything. Annan cites their contributions in the past. He takes credit for the success of the recent elections, noting that the UN had helped "both in developing the political base for elections and in the technical preparations" for them. He offers to assist in drawing up a new constitution and in training Iraqis to hold a referendum on it. That's it as far as relatively concrete proposals.
There are no plans for any massive UN presence in Iraq; Annan points out that "much of our work -- training, advice, coordination, [and of course] acting as a conduit for funds -- can be done from outside the country."
Yeah, right, especially that "acting as a conduit for funds."
Annan expects that UN agencies will "coordinate" international aid [that "conduit for funds" thing again] and that it will take responsibility for seeing that international "commitments are honored, and... money will be properly spent ["conduit...funds," got it].
Well, lots of luck with that, Kofi, especially seeing how well you served as a "conduit for funds" last time you got involved in coordinating programs for Iraq.
UPDATE:
Before accepting Mr. Annan's generous offer, take a look at the effect UN administration has had in Kosovo here and here. Now, look at the Congo. And lest we forget there's always Rwanda.
On second thought, Kofi, maybe it would be better for all involved if you just stayed out of Iraq; the people there have suffered enough already.
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