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French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin reiterated that it should be the United Nations to play a central role in rebuilding Iraq and confer legitimacy on new Iraqi government, Le Monde newspaper reported on Monday.
De Villepin said in the report that a legitimate authority should be established in Iraq as soon as possible, even if it was temporary. The political principles and conditions must be clearly defined to ensure the political process of Iraq is above reproach.
After security is restored in the country, the United Nations should gradually take charge of the political transition phase through a representative of secretary general, as it did in Afghanistan and Kosovo, de Villepin pointed out.
As for the draft resolution proposed by the United States, the minister said it can serve as a foundation for discussion and must be revised. The UN Security Council should not abdicate its responsibility and privileges in Iraqi reconstruction.
The United States, together with Britain and Spain, put forward the draft resolution to the Security Council last Friday, asking for legitimization of their occupation of Iraq and shift of control over Iraq's vast oil revenues from the United Nations to the United States and its allies.
De Villepin stressed that the proposal was too vague and too timid on the mission and role of UN representative.
He also called for clear rules on the distribution of Iraqi oil revenues, adding that the management of the revenues should be placed under an undisputed international authority.
France will participate into the discussion of the Security Council on the draft resolution in an open and constructive spirit, and will make suggestions for reaching a rapid conclusion, de Villepin said.
(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2003)
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