The UN and the Iraq War

The initial responses the Bush's appeal to the UN indicate that it was even more of a flop than critics expected. The Washington Post reports:

President Bush ended two days of meetings with foreign leaders today without winning more international troops or funds for Iraq and with a top aide saying it could take months to achieve a new U.N. resolution backing the U.S. occupation.

Bush's failure to win a promise of fresh soldiers in meetings with the leaders of India and Pakistan -- aides said the president did not even ask -- increased the difficulty the United States will have in assembling another division of foreign troops in Iraq, which senior Pentagon officials say is the minimum needed to relieve overstretched U.S. forces.

Pakistan is saying, unless you come up with big bucks to pay for it, no way we're sending troops. Turkey, which has been discussed as one of the most likely to send troops, says they want to see more UN involvement and a faster turnover of control to the Iraqis before they commit troops.

The best news on foreign assistance came from Germany. "Bush aides said Germany might provide police training."

They might provide police training. And this was the good news. The Pentagon is now looking at more reserve call-ups. No quick-and-easy war on this one.

Tags: bush, iraq war, united nations