Iraq Reconstruction

Reconstruction of Iraq: UN or U.S. Responsibility?

Three years ago, the world had witnessed two significant events that determined the fate of two of the most powerful nations in the world: the World Trade Center bombing in United States, and, consequently, the U.S. offensive against Iraq in March 2002 (Gulf War II). These events have eventually led to the oust of Saddam Hussein, incumbent dictator/leader of Iraq and the temporary take-over of the United States government in the country. A clearinghouse had been conducted, where the U.S. military, along with its allies, arrested all of Hussein’s Royal Army and government members.

Furthermore, a ‘rehabilitation’ project was formulated, where the U.S. government tried to maintain peace and security in the country while providing Iraqis with their basic needs — food, clothing, shelter, and a secure job for everyone.

It is evident that these programs made by the U.S. government is but an initial step toward its primary objective — that is, developing Iraq as a democratic country in the Middle East. Furthermore, this rehabilitation or reconstruction program attempts to make, not only Iraq, but all Middle Eastern nations a democratic nation. However, due to hostilities against the U.S. By the Middle Eastern nations, its reconstruction program has been confined to Iraq only. Thus, because U.S. is generally recognized around the world as the bastion of democracy, then it is but natural that the United States should spearhead the international community’s attempt to reconstruct and ensure peace, unity, and stability in Iraq.

However, as was mentioned earlier, because there have been apparent hostilities between the U.S. And Middle Eastern nations, which are mostly Islamic societies (such as Saudi Arabia and Iran), there are contentions whether U.S. will be able to successfully reconstruct Iraq, especially now that is facing political and military problems due to recent reports on Iraqi prisoners’ abuses and tortures by the U.S. military.

With these disadvantages, the best institution, it seems, that can answer the Iraqis’ need for stability and security is the United Nations, an international organization of countries. Since the UN is composed of alliances among different countries, it is considered as a neutral institution that will effectively deliver the needs of the Iraqis.

Indeed, according to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) administrator Mark Brown (2003), asserts that “the effectiveness of the U.S. abroad requires a strong United Nations.” This is in light of the fact that the U.S. harbors two weaknesses in the international political community: (1) it has a weak or “flawed” foreign policy and (2) it has relatively weak international relations with other UN-member countries in the issue of Gulf War II.

The first weakness pointed out by Brown refers to the U.S. government’s ‘propensity’ to mishandle rehabilitation programs abroad; a case in point is the failure of the U.S. government during the 1970s to ‘save’ South Vietnam from the Communist influence of North Vietnam. A similar even is also presently occurring that illustrates the weak U.S. foreign policy, especially when dealing with prisoners-of-war (POWs). Recent reports of Iraqi prisoners abuse by the military created outrage among Iraqis, which further worsened the already poor efforts of the U.S. government’s reconstruction program in the country (Ensor & Mount, 2004). The UN can remedy this problem of weak foreign policy by taking over the U.S. government’s job, replacing it with a ‘neutral’ institution that will serve as intermediary not only between Iraq and U.S., but among other nations as well. U.S.’s weak international relations will also be remedied with UN’s international network with other countries, drawing support for the Iraq reconstruction program not only with U.S.’s ally counties, but also countries sympathetic to the plight of the country (Iraq) and its people.

It may look like the UN should have the primary role in reconstructing Iraq because of the U.S. government’s weaknesses. However, it is still vital that U.S. be instrumental in making the reconstruction efforts possible, since it has the financial and military resources to support the program. Furthermore, as a democratic nation, U.S. has the experience to oversee the eventual transfer of power from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the interim Iraqi government in June 30, as well as the formulation of a constitution in 2005, and eventual take-over of the new, democratic Iraqi government in 2006 (BBC News, 2004). Apart from support for the new Iraqi government, U.S. has a major role in solving insurgency problems in Iraq with its military forces, especially now that Iraqi is plagued with political rebels in the form of the Baathists, terrorists, Islamists, and “disaffected Iraqis” who either have hostilities against the U.S. occupation or want to take over the country, or both (Bennett & Ware, 2003:20-8).

Thus, because the U.S. is currently the most powerful and effective institution that will make the Iraq reconstruction program possible, it is vital that the UN affiliate itself with the U.S. government. While UN works with the reconciliation process between conflicting groups in Iraq, U.S. shall provide the financial and military backing needed to enforce a more peaceful and effective Iraqi nation.

Bibliography

Bennett, B. & M. Ware. (December 2003). “Life behind enemy lines.” TIME Magazine, Vol. 162, No. 23. pp. 20-8.

Brown, M.M. (November 2003). “After Iraq: Why the UN matters.” United Nations Development Programme Web site. Accessed: 23 May 2004. Available at http://www.undp.org/dpa/statements/administ/2003/november/12nov03.html.

Ensor, D. & M. Mount. (May 4, 2004). “Row rages on over ‘abuse’ in Iraq. Cable News Network (CNN) Web site. Accessed: 23 May 2004. Available at http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/05/04/iraq.international.main/index.html.

A: The handover in Iraq.” (May 24, 2004). British Broadcasting Company (BBC) Web site. Accessed: 24 May 2004. Available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3742383.stm.