Bush and Blair stress UN role in Iraq
By James Harding in Washington
Published: April 16 2004 7:57 | Last Updated: April 17 2004 1:22
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The United Nations will have a "central role" in Iraq, George W. Bush, US president, and Tony Blair, British prime minister, promised on Friday, as they insisted that they would not be deflected from their mission to transform the Middle East.
The two leaders, who just over a year ago broke with the UN to launch the Iraq war, gave a strong endorsement to Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN envoy to Iraq, to shape the Iraqi governing authority after the US restores sovereignty on June 30.
After two weeks that have seen the US-led coalition facing a bloody stand-off with Shia and Sunni Muslim militias, both men underlined their determination to put Iraq on the path to democracy and prosperity.
"We stand firm. We will do what it takes to win this struggle. We will not yield," Mr Blair said. "We will not back down in the face of attacks, either on us or on defenceless civilians."
Mr Bush, insisting that his re-election campaign would not weaken US resolve, said: "We're not leaving because of politics . . . We're standing firm on our word because it's right."
Speaking in the Rose Garden with their wives beside them, Mr Bush and Mr Blair radiated a cordial personal relationship.
They also sought to present a united front on the deal Mr Bush struck this week with Ariel Sharon, which gave US blessing to the Israeli prime minister's plans for permanent West Bank settlements and denied Palestinians the right of return.
British officials have privately voiced their concerns over the White House position, which they fear prejudices future negotiations and sends the Arab world the message that the US, with the UK by its side, favours Israel.
Mr Bush emphasised that the agreement he made with Mr Sharon would not pre-judge final status negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis.
Mr Blair called on the European Union and others to assist in building a strong, effective Palestinian government.
In Iraq, the role of the UN has been a contentious issue between the US and UK in the year since the invasion. In that time the Bush White House has insisted on a rhetorical formula for the UN - the president said it would have a "vital role" - but little authority.
But on Friday Mr Bush was clear that the design and composition of the Iraqi government after June 30 was in the hands of the UN. "That's going to be decided by Mr Brahimi," he said, when asked about the nature of the political organisation after the transfer of power. |
