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UNITED NATIONS — In a slam-dunk vote, the U.N. Security Council (search) approved Thursday a U.S.-drafted resolution to help reconstruct Iraq.
All 15 Security Council members -- including Syria -- voted in favor of the measure to authorize a multinational force under U.S. command and call for troop contributions from other countries. The measure also seeks "substantial pledges" from the 191 United Nations member states.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan (search) commended the council members for having reached a "significant agreement on what obviously is an important resolution to address a complex situation in Iraq.
"The process has been difficult but the outcome is a clear demonstration of the will of all the members of the Security Council to place the interests of the Iraqi people above all other considerations," he said.
Secretary of State Colin Powell (search) said he was happy with the vote, adding that President Bush is "very, very pleased." Powell said the vote sets the stage for next week's donors conference in Madrid, where the member states will be asked for money for reconstruction.
"I think this is a great achievement for the Security Council in coming together," Powell said.
Earlier in the day, Germany, Russia and France announced that they would back the resolution -- a dramatic shift for the three European countries, who bitterly opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
The three nations refused in March to give support for a U.N. resolution authorizing the use of force to oust deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, and had differed with the United States over the timing of returning the Arab country to full sovereignty.
"We agreed that the resolution is really an important step in the right direction," German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said after a 45-minute conference call Thursday morning with presidents Jacques Chirac of France and Vladimir Putin of Russia. "Many things have been included from what we proposed. This led us ... to jointly agree to the resolution."
But French officials said the European support would not translate into the funds and troops sought by the United States to ease the burden of American forces in Iraq. France has been the most outspoken critic of Washington's Iraq policies.
Still, U.S. officials expressed hope the resolution would mean additional EU funds for Iraq's reconstruction.
"Really, the goal is to try to get something more than a piece of paper, to try to get money and troops. We hope the resolution combined with the upcoming donor conference will help," one U.S. official said.
Before the vote, China indicated it might support for the resolution.
"Our attitude has become more and more positive," China's U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya, whose country supported the package of French-Russian-German amendments, said Wednesday. "At this stage, I think this resolution is far from what [we] expect. But I think as council members, we should always be ready to make compromises."
Pakistan's U.N. Ambassador Munir Akram, whose country was considered a swing vote, announced support for the measure "despite some reservations on certain provisions."
Although the Security Council remains split on how quickly to transfer power to Iraqis -- and who should oversee Iraq's political transition from a dictatorship to a democracy -- the compromise appeared to be part of an effort to send a more united message on the importance of returning sovereignty to Iraq.
"Above all the unity of the international community must be preserved as much as possible," Chirac spokeswoman Catherine Colonna said.
However, she added that the three countries "are very far from being able to commit themselves financially or militarily" to the reconstruction of Iraq.
A Boost to Security?
After the vote at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was asked what the passage of the resolution meant for troop numbers in the region.
"It's a good thing that it passed. It will have a favorable effect in some countries that indicated they would prefer to have an additional U.N. Security Council resolution. Which countries and how many troops it will affect will remain to be seen," Rumsfeld said, adding that Washington is in discussion with five to seven countries on exactly how many troops they will donate.
Asked whether more international troops would boost security, Rumsfeld said, "I'd like to be able to say yes but I can't in my own mind indicate in what ways it might. It certainly is a plus not a minus but I couldn't draw a line between the resolution and security."
Powell also would not put a number on how many troops each country should or should not contribute, but said he hoped France, Germany and Russia would contribute some.
"This isn't a matter of helping us," Powell said. "It's a matter of helping Iraqis in need."
A Wednesday vote had been delayed so the leaders of Russia, France and Germany could decide Thursday morning whether to back the resolution.
After rejecting the French-Russian-German demand for a timetable, the United States honed in on Russia, which has been more moderate, in its search for votes.
Washington made some concessions on amendments to get Moscow on board.
The amendments give Annan greater scope to participate in the drafting of a new Iraqi constitution and the political transition, and state for the first time that the mandate of the multinational force authorized by the resolution will expire when an Iraqi government is elected.
"I have no doubt that we all look forward to the earliest possible establishment of a government that will turn Iraqi into full sovereignty," Annan said after the vote.
Nations including India, Pakistan and Turkey have said it would be easier to commit troops if they served under a U.N. mandate.
The Bush administration initially focused on getting more countries to provide troops and money to help stabilize and rebuild Iraq. France, Russia and Germany focused on the quick restoration of Iraq's sovereignty.
The United States and Britain never wavered in their assessment that sovereignty can't be relinquished until Iraq drafts a new constitution and holds elections.
The coalition also said they would stay until stability is reached, and no longer. U.S. and coalition forces, as well as Iraqis and others helping coalition efforts to rebuild the country, have come under attack almost daily from supposed Saddam loyalists. These insurgents have also attacked infrastructures such as oil pipelines.
"We have to understand, we have very high stakes but we also have to understand this is a several-year process, this is not something that's going to be achieved in a few months," former ambassador Dennis Ross told Fox News.
Also included were new provisions urging the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority "to return governing responsibilities and authorities to the people of Iraq as soon as practicable" and calling on the Iraqi Governing Council to provide the Security Council with a timetable for drafting a new constitution and holding elections by Dec. 15.
Fox News' Liza Porteus and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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"Don't try to threaten me Mulder! I've watched presidents die."
"If people would know the things I know, we'd all fall apart."
"Once again, tonight, the course of human history will be set by two unknown men standing in the shadows."
Good, get international support, and I'm all for any action.
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26-year-old Saermengsi last season rated average 25.1 minutes, with 7.5 hours, 2.7 times and 2.7 backboard secondary attack, he Yifusen general as the replacement came in March Yifusen injuries ever period of time, three matches in a row, his secondary attack will reach 10. By Sun team, he could strengthen outer lane line, but also as the replacement fullback scored his general customary activities in the stadium two wings. On the season Saermengsi-ball hit rate reached 30%. He was in flames and Jones made a three-year teammate, Jones said that the organizers he pitches, but he can also shooting. His shooting is deceptive.
Originally posted by SirStefan32 I wonder what the Democrats are going to do now?
They can't say, "We don't have International support," any more.
But we didn't have international support to fight Iraq. No matter what you think, we still never gained that.
But we shouldn't have even been there in the first place.
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26-year-old Saermengsi last season rated average 25.1 minutes, with 7.5 hours, 2.7 times and 2.7 backboard secondary attack, he Yifusen general as the replacement came in March Yifusen injuries ever period of time, three matches in a row, his secondary attack will reach 10. By Sun team, he could strengthen outer lane line, but also as the replacement fullback scored his general customary activities in the stadium two wings. On the season Saermengsi-ball hit rate reached 30%. He was in flames and Jones made a three-year teammate, Jones said that the organizers he pitches, but he can also shooting. His shooting is deceptive.
Originally posted by WizardOfAz G*d d@mn United Nations is useless, unless of course we need them.
That's what the Repubs. were saying...
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26-year-old Saermengsi last season rated average 25.1 minutes, with 7.5 hours, 2.7 times and 2.7 backboard secondary attack, he Yifusen general as the replacement came in March Yifusen injuries ever period of time, three matches in a row, his secondary attack will reach 10. By Sun team, he could strengthen outer lane line, but also as the replacement fullback scored his general customary activities in the stadium two wings. On the season Saermengsi-ball hit rate reached 30%. He was in flames and Jones made a three-year teammate, Jones said that the organizers he pitches, but he can also shooting. His shooting is deceptive.
Originally posted by WizardOfAz G*d d@mn United Nations is useless, unless of course we need them.
I don't know about other conservatives, but I think U.N. is obsolete. We need to get out of there. They need us more than we need them. However, I do think this was a nice political move to shut up the Dems.
__________________
"Don't try to threaten me Mulder! I've watched presidents die."
"If people would know the things I know, we'd all fall apart."
"Once again, tonight, the course of human history will be set by two unknown men standing in the shadows."
Originally posted by SirStefan32 I don't know about other conservatives, but I think U.N. is obsolete. We need to get out of there. They need us more than we need them. However, I do think this was a nice political move to shut up the Dems.
So you admit that this is political wrangling, and not humanitarian in nature? Kinda makes your "party" look pretty shallow, huh?
I don't know what Bush is thinking, I don't claim to know that. I just know what I think. I don't care about the Republican party, all I care about it the conservative cause, that's all.
__________________
"Don't try to threaten me Mulder! I've watched presidents die."
"If people would know the things I know, we'd all fall apart."
"Once again, tonight, the course of human history will be set by two unknown men standing in the shadows."
Originally posted by SirStefan32 I don't know what Bush is thinking, I don't claim to know that. I just know what I think. I don't care about the Republican party, all I care about it the conservative cause, that's all.
Danger Will Robinson! DANGER! So robotic in your responses!
You just said it was a "nice political move... to shut up the Dems." That leads me to belive that you advocate using the premis of humanitarian aide for Iraq, and the U.N, as a political tool tp advance the conservative party cause. SOunds A LOT like what you accuse Environmentalists of doing. Taking a cause and using it as a political tool...
Originally posted by SirStefan32 Hey, the Conservative base opposes this- I know I do. I am just giving Bush credit for getting countries like Syria, Cameroon, and China to join us.
Ewww...according to you China is the big bad wolf.
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26-year-old Saermengsi last season rated average 25.1 minutes, with 7.5 hours, 2.7 times and 2.7 backboard secondary attack, he Yifusen general as the replacement came in March Yifusen injuries ever period of time, three matches in a row, his secondary attack will reach 10. By Sun team, he could strengthen outer lane line, but also as the replacement fullback scored his general customary activities in the stadium two wings. On the season Saermengsi-ball hit rate reached 30%. He was in flames and Jones made a three-year teammate, Jones said that the organizers he pitches, but he can also shooting. His shooting is deceptive.
Can you read? Did I say that I, Stefan V. Kolak agree with this decision? No, I didn't, because I don't think we should get the UN involved in anything. It was, however, a nice political move by the administration.
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"Don't try to threaten me Mulder! I've watched presidents die."
"If people would know the things I know, we'd all fall apart."
"Once again, tonight, the course of human history will be set by two unknown men standing in the shadows."
Originally posted by SirStefan32 Can you read? Did I say that I, Stefan V. Kolak agree with this decision? No, I didn't, because I don't think we should get the UN involved in anything. It was, however, a nice political move by the administration.
I can read, thank you very much.
But getting China to support our "cause" undermines your assertation that China is the "big bad wolf".
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26-year-old Saermengsi last season rated average 25.1 minutes, with 7.5 hours, 2.7 times and 2.7 backboard secondary attack, he Yifusen general as the replacement came in March Yifusen injuries ever period of time, three matches in a row, his secondary attack will reach 10. By Sun team, he could strengthen outer lane line, but also as the replacement fullback scored his general customary activities in the stadium two wings. On the season Saermengsi-ball hit rate reached 30%. He was in flames and Jones made a three-year teammate, Jones said that the organizers he pitches, but he can also shooting. His shooting is deceptive.
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