Indonesia, Brunei Wants UN Lead In Postwar Iraq

Jakarta - Indonesia wants the UN to take the lead in the establishment of a postwar government in Iraq and ensure the participation of the Iraqi people in the process.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on Tuesday that the UN should not be marginalized after the war was over in Iraq.

Visiting Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam during bilateral talks with President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Tuesday echoed Indonesia's stance.

In their joint media statement the two leaders called on the international community to ensure that postwar arrangements were made within a UN framework.

They also expressed grave concern about the situation in Iraq and deep regret that the process of dialog and diplomacy had failed to avert war there.

Hassan said that both leaders were in agreement over the establishment of a postwar government, reconstruction and humanitarian aid for the Iraqi people after the war.

"We are following closely the developments in these major issues and expect the UN to be part of the whole process," the minister stressed.

"We want to see the UN play its part in the establishment of the postwar government in Iraq, which should be a people-centered administration," Hassan said.

"We need to ensure that the UN will not be moved aside once again over the Iraq issue, as it should determine the legitimacy of the new government in the country."

As the attack by the U.S. and its allies on Baghdad moves into its third week, the world is anticipating the imminent downfall of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said earlier that UN involvement was required in the establishment of a legitimate government in Iraq after the war.

Hassan supported the view, saying that only with the involvement of the UN would the new government of Iraq win international recognition.

"We don't wish to see a U.S. occupation of Iraq, after the aggression is over," he said.

U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair agreed, after their meeting in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Monday, that the UN would play a vital role in postwar Iraq.

Blair added that coalition troops would not stay a day longer than necessary in Iraq.

Hassan said that in his recent meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Syed Hamid, the two Muslim-majority countries underlined the importance of the UN in determining the fate of Iraq after the war.

Brudirect.com