| Yielding to Reality |
May 26 2003
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UN Lifts Iraq Sanctions, Finally
The United Nations has finally bowed to reality and lifted the economic sanctions it imposed on the Ba'athist regime of Iraq at the end of Operation Desert Storm. The US and UK are recognized as occupying powers for international legal purposes, and the UN has a humanitarian role. In short, what Tony Blair and George Bush said would happen has happened.
Naturally, there could have been no other post-war solution. Putting troops in Iraq to keep order would require months of logistical planning, unless the forces already there were used. Moreover, Iraq is a rich country if its natural wealth and the talent of its people are not squandered. The US and UK, again, are the powers that be in Baghdad, to replace them will take time that Iraq may not have. Meanwhile, UN humanitarian forces are more easily deployed than blue helmets, so they are approved for use.
This is largely what Tony Blair had hoped for when he tied himself to Mr. Bush's wagon. There is no substitute for an infantryman when it comes to exercising power. There is no way Mr. Bush would be shamed into allowing blue helmets to replace Green Berets. However, Mr. Blair did insist on some role for the UN; Mr. Bush did not have to give it one. NGOs galore could have done the dirty detail work the UN will oversee.
In the end, the sooner an Iraqi regime can be said to exist, the better for the US, UK and UN. However, until that day arrives, Mr. Blair has been vindicated. Now if the weapons of mass destruction turn up, Mr. Bush will be as well.