Global Policy Forum

By Brandon Mitchener and Christopher Cooper

The United Nations Security Council could agree as soon as this week on a new resolution governing the transfer of sovereignty in Iraq, following talks in which the U.S. and opponents of the American-led occupation sought to mend fences.

Following a full day of meetings with foreign ministers here on Saturday, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said the U.S. and the Security Council's four other veto-wielding permanent members -- China, Russia, France and Britain -- were unanimous on the need to transfer political power in Iraq to Iraqis "as soon as possible" and would continue their talks in greater detail in New York this week. Despite the absence of any specific commitments on a timetable or new political pecking order in Baghdad, Secretary of State Colin Powell, who flew to Baghdad afterward, said he had been "encouraged" by the day's discussions. "We spent our time today looking for points of convergence, and there are many," he said.

Even Dominique de Villepin, foreign minister of France, which led opposition to the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Iraq, struck a conciliatory tone, saying France is "aware of the need for a gradual, progressive approach." Just a day earlier, in a bit of megaphone diplomacy that irritated U.S. diplomats, the French daily Le Monde ran a front-page article by Mr. de Villepin saying that Iraq needs a new transitional government within a month, a new constitution by year's end, and new elections by spring. Mr. Powell immediately dismissed such a speedy transfer of power and strict timetable as unrealistic. After Saturday's meeting, a French diplomat said Paris is "not bound by a very strict timetable" and is searching for a compromise that would be "feasible."

Under one compromise scenario France is willing to consider, the Security Council could officially recognize the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council as a provisional government that in turn could "invite" coalition forces to help run the country and re-establish order, along with help from other countries. The difference: "The legitimacy of this government wouldn't come from the American administration but rather from the international community as a whole," the French diplomat said. France opposes any U.N. resolution that would legitimize American supremacy in Iraq outright.

Adnan Pachachi, a former Iraqi foreign minister who is a member of the governing council, told journalists in Geneva he welcomed such a proposal as a step toward "more and more powers being exercised by Iraqis." Recognizing the council as the "interim government of Iraq," in turn, could reinforce a "perception of sovereignty" and lend greater legitimacy to an increased U.N. role in rebuilding the country, he said.

A special U.N. envoy could play a "major" coordinating role between the world community, the Iraqi provisional government and coalition forces, the French diplomat said. Earlier, France and other partners in the European Union insisted on a "central" role for the U.N. in administering Iraq until democratic elections are held, possibly next summer. State Department officials say the U.S. is willing to consider a U.N. envoy, but would like to see the post subordinate to Paul Bremer, the U.S. official who heads the Coalition Provisional Authority. The U.N. has no direct say in how the provisional authority conducts business, and its advisory capacity is informal.

Overall, the tone of the weekend meetings was pragmatic. While people said they would like to see a rapid restoration of Iraqi sovereignty, most agreed that's unlikely. No constitution can be written until a constitutional convention is held, probably in November, and the drafting could take months. No elections can be held until a census is conducted, all parties agree, and no census can be conducted until a semblance of law and order permits a greater U.N. presence.

Mr. Pachachi and others said the main sticking point is likely to be timing, with the U.S. supporting a play-it-by-ear approach and France and others seeking some deadlines. The U.S. has been talking closely with Russia and other countries represented on the 15-member Security Council in hopes of assembling a majority for a resolution sanctioning a continued U.S. presence in Iraq ahead of a U.N. General Assembly session this month.

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