This is in response to Yasmine Zaki's commentary pleading for UNhelp.
Zaki asserts that the U.S. unilaterally invaded Iraq. Does shemean that 48 sovereign countries which pledged their support to theCoalition in Iraq are in fact colonies of the U.S., or does shesimply mean that the U.S. formed a coalition without France,Germany, Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and Syria and without theblessing of the UN?
This is the same "indispensable" UN that led a coalition to theSomalia quagmire for a simple humanitarian war.
Does anyone remember that other humanitarian war the UN foughtin Bosnia? You would be mistaken if you do since it was NATO (ledby the U.S.) air power that fought that war when the UN started alittle peacekeeping it couldn't enforce and needed a little help.UN forces are still over there after nine years and counting.
Yet after four months in post-major-conflict Iraq, Zaki wants tobring in the UN so the U.S. can "avoid such humiliation" because"there has been no signs of any progress". Let's look at theprogress that Zaki failed to mention:
Electricity is more equitably distributed, rather than justpowering Baghdad, as was the case when Saddam was still inpower.
Water supply is at pre-war levels in many part of thecountry.
Iraq's hospitals are running and no longer treat just Ba'athistelite.
The port at Umm Qasr is open and functioning.
The Governing Council is creating a Preparatory Commission towrite a constitution. After a constitution is approved, electionswill lead to a fully sovereign Iraqi government.
The Baghdad City Advisory Council was inaugurated on July 7,2003. Its 37 members were selected by members of the city's ninedistrict councils, who themselves were selected by Baghdad citizensin 88 neighborhoods throughout the city.
There are municipal councils in all major cities and 85 percentof towns, enabling Iraqis to take responsibility for management oflocal matters like healthcare, water, and electricity.
More than 150 newspapers are now published in Iraq offeringIraqis access to many different kinds of information. Foreignpublications, radio, and television broadcasts are alsoavailable.
Nope, definitely no progress here, time to throw in the toweland call the UN to the rescue. After all, the UN has an establishedrecord of installing democracy and restoring order in only foursort months after major war operations end. Do a Google search andfind out for yourself.
Todd Mosley
Second Year Law Student
