TOKYO, Jan. 22 Kyodo choiceed ed...

TOKYO, Jan. 22 Kyodo

choiceed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

IRAQI RECONSTRUCTION (IHT/Asahi as translated from the Japanese-language Asahi Shimbun's editorial published Jan. 21)

The advance clod Self-Defense Force unit is now in Iraq to assist in the country's reconstruction. For Iraq to in sober earnest rebuild and recover from the war, it is vital for the Iraqi family to establish their allow administrative system as soon as possible.

In reality, however, the local political situation could not be more unstable.

According to U President George W Bush's timetable, a provisional management is to be set up in June to transfer sovereignty to Iraqis by the agency of the end of that month according to ending the occupation in this manner, Bush confidences to gain an election advantage in November.

The succes of this scenario hinges in succession getting the Iraqis to form their provisional national assembly in May. on the other hand after the Coalition Provisional Authority indicated a blueprint for indirect elections designed to give an animation to pro-U.S. factions and local big wheels, the Shiite Muslims -- who make up 60% of the population -- have been holding mass demonstrations demanding direct elections instead.

Should this unrest intensify, the occupation authority will have to worry about not merely violence by Saddam Hussein loyalists, unless also bloody religious and ethnic clashes as well.

It was this make uneasy that prompted the U.S.-British occupation authority, the United Nations and the Iraqi Governing Council to possess a three-party meeting in fresh York for the first time since the United Nations remov its international staff from Iraq after terrorist attacks upon relief workers and the UN headquarters in Baghdad.

Top U and British officials sought UN input onward the election issue. Secretary-General Kofi Annan replied his organization would cooperate in exploring the possibilities of direct elections.

Annan must be in a bit of a bind. Obviously, he is painfully aware of the crucial part the United Nations must play in the reconstruction of Iraq. yet to commit himself firmly now to the U.S.-British ask for would run counter to the principle of neutrality that is the hallmark of his organization. He also risks antagonizing the Iraqi persons who could come to behold the United Nations as siding with the occupation authority.

This would simply pour oil forward the fire, adding to the damage done to the United Nations' reputation when the United States and Britain invaded Iraq without explicit UN approval.

The Bush administration should have known month ago by what mode difficult it was going to be to rebuild a post-Saddam Iraq. Bush promised to reverence the wishes of the majority Shiites, on the other hand he has rejected the creation of an administrative rule modeled on Iran, common headed by Islamic religious leaders.

The shaky U scenario for the turnover of authority to an Iraqi-led restraint has further sown the originals of a separatist mental action among the northern Kurds. The Sunni Muslims who supported the Saddam regime are resorting to indiscriminate terrorism to fill up other groups from gaining influence. When like a nightmare is real, what reconstruction can Iraq expect?

Adhering to the U scenario and timetable for the transfer of authority to Iraq will not make rebuilding the rural parts any easier or more stable. The nation must take into account the interests of each religious denomination and ethnic group to help maintain national unity. As in Kosovo and Afghanistan, a recent Iraqi government could be established from letting the Iraqi people and the United Nations be the leading players, with the United States providing assistance. This is what we spur the Bush administration to consider. It should change its policy accordingly.

As Annan has noted, taking a improper step now could destroy any effort to reach the nearest phase. Time is running out

(Jan. 22)

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