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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rick Slemmer who wrote (387734)	4/8/2003 2:05:02 AM
From: calgal	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

April 8, 2003 Iraq war 'coming to a conclusion,' Powell says By Bill Sammon THE WASHINGTON TIMES BELFAST — Secretary of State Colin L. Powell yesterday said the war is drawing to a close as President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair downplayed their differences over the United Nations' role in postwar Iraq. Top Stories • Strike targets Saddam • Saddam foes set to form council • Allies see signs of deadly agents • Mogadishu lessons help foil Saddam's strategy • Soldiers make themselves at home • Ehrlich surprised by budget successes • CDC to brace for mystery illness 'epidemic' "The hostilities phase is coming to a conclusion," Mr. Powell told reporters as Air Force One crossed the Atlantic. "It's time for all of us to think about the post-hostilities phase." To that end, Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair began talks at Hillsborough Castle outside Belfast on the creation of a phased-in government to replace Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's regime. The White House wants the United States and Britain to take the lead role, with the United Nations in a supporting position. "The coalition, having spent the treasure, having taken the political risk, and having paid the cost in lives, must have a leading role," Mr. Powell said. "There is also a role for the United Nations — initially, humanitarian." But Blair spokesman Tom Kelly suggested the coalition's role would be no larger than the United Nations' role. He insisted there was no disagreement between Mr. Blair and Mr. Bush on the issue. Asked by The Washington Times to reconcile this apparent discrepancy, Mr. Kelly suggested such a reconciliation would emerge from the talks that began last night and will continue today. He acknowledged that agreement between the United States and Britain is not yet complete. "What is clear is the principle of U.N. involvement," he said. "Precisely how that comes about, I think, is a matter for discussion. "But I think we should be careful that we don't get caught in what I might call a second-resolution mind-set, which is to think that there has to be a big divergence of views over this issue. "I know between us and the Americans, or between the coalition and Europe, or between the U.N. and the coalition, there are practical, common-sense issues, which have to be sorted out," he said. Britain and the United States agree that postwar Iraq will probably need to be governed by the military coalition for about 90 days. "The military commander must be in charge for a period of time to stabilize the country, ensure security," said Mr. Powell. He said the commander must also take control of oil fields, make sure "the other side has been disarmed, find the weapons of mass destruction and make sure that the humanitarian supplies are coming in." Then an interim, multiethnic Iraqi government will be formed, with the United Nations performing some sort of humanitarian role. "We'll be sending people over this week to begin the process of bringing together a group that would constitute the authority," Mr. Powell said. "We want to do it quickly." The third and final phase would be a permanent Iraqi government, although the role of the United Nations in such a scenario is not clear. Both Britain and the United States said the United Nations has no interest in ruling Iraq. "The secretary-general has made it clear he does not want to have ownership of Iraq," said Mr. Powell, who spent much of the weekend in talks with Secretary-General Kofi Annan. "He has no intention of the U.N. taking over full responsibility for the political future of Iraq." Mr. Kelly said the United Nations "has made it clear that it doesn't have the capacity, never mind the desire, to run Iraq." He said Mr. Blair wants "an Iraq not run by us, not run by the Americans or by the U.N., but by the Iraqis, as soon as possible." Mr. Powell said the U.S. and Britain have "started to put down different points of view" in drafts of a U.N. Security Council resolution on postwar Iraq. He expressed hope this would not inflame feelings over last month's failure of a second U.S.-backed resolution against Saddam. "The tension of the last few months, which had to do with the second resolution, that's all behind us now," Mr. Powell said. "So let's not fight that fight again." Mr. Powell said he and other members of the Bush administration have been making conciliatory overtures to many nations that opposed the U.S.-led war against Iraq. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice just finished visiting one such nation, Russia. Mr. Powell he said he did not know how long U.S. troops would remain in the country, but said both the United Nations and NATO might help with peacekeeping duties. The talks between Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair will continue this morning, when the two leaders are joined by Mr. Powell and British Foreign Minister Jack Straw. The two leaders will meet with Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahearn and parties to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, aimed at ending violence between Catholics and Protestants. Thursday is the fifth anniversary of the agreement. URL:http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20030408-82540860.htm