U.S. Group (CPA) to Take Part in Iraq Meeting (UN role to be set)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3595808,00.html

U.S. Group to Take Part in Iraq Meeting

Wednesday January 7, 2004 8:16 AM
By NICK WADHAMS
Associated Press Writer
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The U.S.-led occupation authority has agreed to take part in meetings between U.N. and Iraqi leaders to decide how strong a mandate to give the United Nations in the country's move to self-rule, officials said.
U.N. officials led by Secretary-General Kofi Annan see the meeting as a crucial first step in determining whether the United Nations should return staff to Iraq that were withdrawn after the bombing of its headquarters in August. Annan pulled out all international staff soon after, saying the situation was no longer safe. <snip>
Coalition diplomats have said that the CPA has been cautious about the meeting because it wants to make sure the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council has a clear idea of what it believes the United Nations should do in Iraq before the sides meet.
``This meeting will be useful if the governing council comes with a coherent view of the way forward,'' a coalition diplomat said on condition of anonymity.
Possible U.N. roles vary widely. Chief opponents of the war, including Russia, Germany and France, want it to play a lead political role, which could involve helping to oversee Iraq's election process. Or the United Nations could be asked to deal strictly with humanitarian aid and refugee issues and have little influence on Iraq's political future.
It's a crucial distinction for Annan, who has said the U.N. role must be commensurate with the risks it takes - an indication he might send staff back to Iraq sooner if the United Nations is given more responsibility. <snip>

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hmm, grrrrrrr.....aren't our candidates saying THIS?

:-)

but I can see the drama and it looks as they are looking for an exit