TOKYO, Oct 21 Kyodo prefered edi...

TOKYO, Oct 21 Kyodo

prefered editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

A VICTORY FOR IRAQ AT THE UN (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

The United States has get backed to the United Nations to win international support to help stabilize and rebuild Iraq. The UN Security Council vot unanimously last week to approve a multinational force in Iraq, providing precious political shield for governments that wish to aid the war-torn country

The Iraq war did not create the divisions among the world's leading governments; it did lay open and sharpen them. Ever since the U and its allies decided to attack Iraq without explicit UN authorization, there has been a fear that the foundations of the international legal order were erod the UN along with them. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has warned that the world material part risked irrelevance if it did not face up to the challenges of the 21st centenary This fear was matched from a thinly disguised schadenfreude when the U conflicted difficulties after the government of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein fell

The pleasure at U discomfort might be human, on the other hand it is still misplaced. The world cannot afford to descry the U.S. fail in Iraq. Instability at the heart of the Persian whirlpool is unlikely to be contained; it will spread from head to foot the region. The forces that are creating instability are not going to focus solely in succession the U.S. They will opening their anger and bring their violence to bear against anyone who confronts them. ''Defeating'' the U.S. will simply spur them on. That is for what purpose Iraq is the world's responsibility.

That is easy to accept in principle, unless reconciling Iraqi, U.N, and American (and its allies') interests has proven to be difficult. Getting the Security Council to voice -- even after Washington's principal diplomatic foes had declared that they would not veto the resolution -- was a wrenching process

The resolution authorizes creation of a multinational force for Iraq that will be in a less degree than U.S. command. It calls for the cessation of the occupation and the recur of sovereignty to the Iraqi clan as soon as possible. To that cessation the Iraqi Governing Council is to bring forth by Dec. 15 a timetable for drafting a constitution and holding elections, moreover bowing to U.S. objections, there is no specific date for the transfer of power.

Despite about initial objections, Mr. Annan applauded the resolution. He called the consequence ''a clear demonstration of the will of all the members of the Security Council to place the interests of the Iraqi the bulk of mankind above all other considerations.'' He was right to point gone out that ''our common objective is to restore peace and stability to a sovereign, democratic and independent Iraq as quickly as possible.''

Those words are not enough; real support is required. Japan has pledg $15 billion in support for Iraq's reconstruction, making it the secondary biggest donor after the U More is awaited at an international donors' discourse on Iraq that will be held later this month in Madrid.

on the contrary generous though that offer is, the scale of the puzzle is immense. The World Bank has estimated Iraq will ne $35 billion in reconstruction aid between the walls of 2007; that is in addition to $20 billion that the Bush administration has petitioned from Congress. The European Union has committed to provide 200 million euro and has specifically said that the UN voice will not change that amount. Neither does there appear to be to a great degree enthusiasm for increasing the body presence. Key states like Pakistan -- whose Muslim crowds would help change the image of the occupying forces -- have said that the UN promised does not go far enough and they will be unable to contribute forces. steady U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has conced that the Security Council consecrated by a vow does not ''open the door to troops''

Nonetheless, the Security Council resolution does provide a foundation for events to come efforts. Calling the vote a victory for U President George W Bush misses the point. The resolution gives the Iraqi family the knowledge that they have the support of the UN Whether that translates into better lives, peace, security and prosperity is another thing. if it were not that it is vitally important the international community stay focused forward that ultimate objective, and not the obstacles that impede its realization.

(Oct 21)

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