USA must hand over governance of Iraq to UN

THE EDITOR: Now that the US as a superpower and its allies have broken the back of Iraqi resistance the result of which is as expected a fait accompli, the world is watching eagerly as to what type of peace arrangement and rebuilding programme will be put into operation for the Iraqi people and the Middle East generally.

It must be remembered that Mr Bush and his allies have flouted the UN and declared war on Iraq for hiding weapons of mass destruction. It is expected that at the cessation of hostility, the continuation of the search for weapons of mass destruction will be continued by UN personnel. What if no weapons of mass destruction are discovered? If no weapons of mass destruction are discovered, it could be seen then that the intention of Mr Bush and his allies has been to remove Saddam Hussein from office whether or not weapons of mass destruction are discovered.

Mr Bush stated that the war on Iraq is for the liberation of the people of that country. It is now left to be seen under what condition Iraq will be governed whether by the UN or by American dictation. History has shown that the conquest of one nation by another has to do with military occupation, and military occupation does not let up until the will of the conqueror is established. Power corrupts and absolute military power over another nation could corrupt absolutely. It is imperative therefore, that the Americans and their allies hand over the governance of Iraq to the UN in order to restore some measure of respect to that organisation for the present and in any future operation. If the Americans and their allies are the champions of freedom, then let it be demonstrated in the structural governance of Iraq after the cessation of hostility.

DA COSTA MC DONALD
Pt Fortin