The UN veto and Iraq

Has the US boxed itself in? The government seems unaware of the contradiction between its declarations that, regardless of the UN, it will go to war (not necessarily declare war) if it deems it necessary, and at the same time demanding that Iraq respect UN resolutions. One possible scenario is suggested by a Reuters dispatch (1/21/03) entitled "France could veto UN war resolution". It begins: "France bluntly told the US it would not support an attack on Iraq in the coming weeks, a position diplomats said was shared by most of the 15 UN Security Council members. French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin on Monday hinted at using his veto against any resolution authorizing military force. Villepin was careful to distinguish between supporting force now and in the future, which he did not rule out. His position, diplomats said, reflected apprehension among a number of council members that the Bush administration wanted support for war next week, choosing a timetable based on when the weather was best for the US military".

RH: Germany opposes the use of force, and veto-wielding France is much more interested in good relations with Germany than with the US. If, in a vote, the US finds itself almost isolated in the UN, it might mean that Eurasia would be virtually united against the US.

Ronald Hilton - 1/22/03