The Way Out In..

The draft text presented by the US and Britain to the UN Security Council proposes a gradual transfer of sovereignty to the new interim government. In addition, six months after the transfer, general elections will be held to establish a Constitutive Assembly.

Monday’s speech by US President George W. Bush did not mention how long the American troops are to stay in Iraq. This, as British Prime Minister Tony Blair stated, completely depends upon the security situation in the country. However, the coalition forces have pledged to work to transfer their security mission to the Iraqi army and police. Considering the current chaos, it’s easy to see that the foreign occupation of Iraq will be prolonged.

The statements of Bush and Blair as well as the draft text they presented to the UN Security Council might be seen as positive steps aiming to help Iraq move to a normal political life. However, as both leaders underlined, the future is full of great dangers and unknowns. How will the government take over this coming sovereignty? Who will make it up? The Iraqi people are currently split up along racial, sectarian and ideological lines. Moreover, radical groups are actively fighting their country’s reconstruction in the West’s image. Under these circumstances, how will the Iraqi people react to their new government on July 1?

The US has to find a way out of this chaos. Not only the Bush administration but also the international community, especially the UN, has a huge responsibility to seek a solution to these problems, which is why the draft text presented by the coalition forces to the UN Security Council is of great importance. If the coalition forces leave Iraq now, the country will likely plunge into even worse chaos. So the foreign troops can’t leave Iraq now. The best way out would be to extend the mission of foreign troops with the participation of the international community under UN mandate and also draw up an overall plan together with a timetable for the occupation.”