Moscow: U.S. Seeks Domination Not Liberation
Conference to Undermine U.S.?
April 10, 2003
By Toby Westerman
Copyright 2003 International News Analysis Today
www.inatoday.com
Moscow's ire has erupted over reports that U.S. troops could be stationed in Iraq for the next two years, and that the U.N.'s role in post-war Iraq would be subordinate to that of the United States.
"The U.S. seeks to dominate, not liberate Iraq," asserts Moscow. "The underlying reason for the U.S.-British invasion of Iraq [is] that country's occupation, rather than the disarming of the Iraqi regime," declared Moscow.
Washington and London have declared that the U.N. will have a "vital role," but not controlling influence over a post-Saddam Iraq. In contrast, the U.S. presence in Iraq should give way to U.N. rule, Moscow insists.
Moscow's remarks were carried by the Voice of Russia World Service, the official broadcasting service of the Russian government.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet this Friday and Saturday with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroôder and French President Jacques Chirac in St. Petersburg, Russia, to find a means of increasing U.N. influence in Iraq, while removing the U.S. from its leading role, according to a report from the Internet version of the German news magazine, Der Spiegel.
Moscow, Berlin and Paris vehemently opposed America's war against the Saddam Hussein regime, and Russia was spectacularly unsuccessful in protecting Saddam, a friend whose close relationship with Moscow extends back to the Soviet era.
Before the war, Moscow was Iraq's largest trading partner. Now Moscow is anxious to oust the U.S. from the strategic, oil-rich region as quickly as possible.
U.S. skeptics point to the U.N.'s poor performance in Bosnia and Kosovo, where criminal gang activity joins with political aspirations to produce a continuing and deadly instability.
Although the U.S. is firmly opposed to U.N. rule in post-war Iraq, the government of British Prime Minister Tony Blair is less adamant. Moscow may seek to draw Britain away from Washington in an attempt to force the U.S. to reduce its role in administering the provisional, post-Saddam Iraqi government.
As Moscow, Paris, and Berlin continue fervid discussions over control of post-war Iraq, the U.S. and Britain are putting Iraqis not associated with the Saddam Hussein regime in administrative positions.
In Basra, the British have requested a Shiite leader to form a committee to assist in the running of the city, according to a report from the French news daily, Le Figaro.
A leading opponent of Saddam's regime has already arrived in Iraq to assist in the reconstruction of his country. Iraqi National Congress (INC) leader Ahmad Chalabi is offering to cooperate with the soon-to-be installed U.S. provisional government, which will govern Iraq until national elections can be held.
Participants in the provisional government include former CIA chief James Woosley as information director, former Voice of America director Robert Reilly as head of press and media operations, and former Reagan administration arms negotiator Michael Mobbs as director of civilian affairs, according to a recent report from the Italian news daily, La Stampa.
Although greeted as liberators by Iraqi civilians, U.S. forces may become the object of attack from guerrilla fighters once hostile to the former regime.
Ayatolah Muhammad Baqir Al Hakim, leader of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution (SCIR), has already expressed his opposition to "infidel" rule of Iraq. Al Hakim equates a U.S. provisional government with "leadership of infidels," and contrary to Islamic law, according to a report from the Canadian newspaper, The Star.
Al Hakim commands a force of some 8,000 fighters, and is supported by the burgeoning nuclear power, Iran, which, in turn, receives technical and military assistance from Russia. Moscow considers Iran a source of "stability" in the Middle East.
Copyright 2003
International News Analysis Today
INA Today.com
2364 Jackson St. #301
Stoughton, WI 53589 U.S.A.
Unique sources -- unique information -- news and
analysis you will find nowhere else.
Read International News Analysis.
Order 12 issues of International News Analysis
for only $29.95 U.S. funds; ($39.95 Canadian and overseas).
Mail subscriptions to:
International News Analysis
2364 Jackson St. #301
Stoughton, WI 53589 U.S.A.
Return to INA TODAY.com homepage
