Reconstructing Iraq Conservative Voice

Author: Tabby Connor

The potential solutions to the future of Iraq are as varied as were opinions about the war itself - but all seem to point towards one primary goal: putting the power back in the hands of the Iraqi people as soon as possible. People who were opposed to the war in the first place, as posters for an "anti-reconstruction rally" around campus declare, want coalition forces out of Iraq immediately. Although this point of view does little for the situation of the Iraqis, their goal is surprisingly similar to the goals of those debating the best way to create a democratic future for the Iraqi people.
Those who were opposed to the war on humanitarian grounds should be the last people advocating coalition forces abandoning Iraq when it most needs them. There is a great deal left to accomplish in Iraq, and reconstruction by way of a transitional government is the only way to assure that the nation is reestablished as secure, prosperous and democratic.
However, the way to accomplish these goals is a subject of debate, which focuses on questions such as the role
that
the
United Nations should play in rebuilding Iraq, the best way to stimulate economic growth and how to create a stable democracy that takes into account the social, ethnic and historical background of Iraq that differs greatly from the United States'. The United Nations should play some role in reconstruction. However, it should not be the transitional government in Iraq, nor should it be responsible for the security of Iraq. The United Nations should play a role in humanitarian issues. The United Nations is too bureaucratically hampered to respond adequately to the rapid pace of changes that will occur in Iraq. Creating cooperation between United Nations and Coalition Forces indicates a willingness to work together and heal schisms brought about by the war in Iraq.
The Secretary General of the United Nations has admitted that the United Nations is not ready to assume the role of transitional government. "Although a United Nations-led transitional authority may seem more palatable than an administration by an occupying power, the United Nations does not have the capacity to take on the responsibility of administering Iraq" (National Review Online April 21, 2003). The responsibilities of governance and security should be left up to Coalition Forces as a transitional government.
Economically, Iraq has been bankrupted by Saddam's manipulation of oil revenues that rightfully belong to the people of Iraq. This means of potential economic prosperity must be returned to those who rightfully deserve it, so that Iraq can move forward towards greater economic stability.
Finally, the democracy set in place in Iraq must be sensitive to the culture and history of Iraq. Ethnic tensions must be taken into consideration, and a people accustomed to a brutal dictatorship will take time to adjust to a system of self-governance.
Human rights must also be given a high priority in the rebuilding of Iraq. I have confidence that America, together with its allies, will in time, be able to deliver power into the hands of the Iraqi people where it belongs. While we can all hope that this be as rapid a transition as possible so that the Iraqis can move forward, it is important to remember that justice has been a long time coming for these people. We must not end reconstruction until justice has come, and the Iraqis can truly move forward.

Tabby Connor is a political science major from Shoreham, Vermont.