Iraq: International Attitudes to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Reconstruction

Publication Date: December 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: International relations

Type:

Coverage: Iraq

Abstract:

On May 1, 2003, President Bush announced the end of the combat phase of the U.S.-led war in Iraq. President Bush referred to the war as a "victory" and claimed that "in the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed." ("President Bush Announces that Combat Operations in Iraq Have Ended," White House Press, May 1, 2003). In the aftermath of the war, the U.S. military presence in postwar Iraq persists. Approximately 130,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq and are partaking in the reconstruction and stabilization of the country. Under UNSC Res. 1483, the Administration's current objective in Iraq is to secure and rebuild the country and fulfill the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people. However, restoring law and order and delivering basic services continues to be threatened by lawlessness and violence by a variety of Hussein loyalists, ex-soldiers, criminal elements, and possibly international fighters.

Numerous countries are contributing to reconstruction and stabilization forces in Iraq. The United Kingdom governs the southern part of the country, where there are nearly 12,000 British troops. Meanwhile, Poland -- with some logistical assistance from NATO -- oversees the central-southern region and leads a force consisting of 9,200 troops from Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Still, other countries that have not contributed troops, such as Saudi Arabia and China, have offered monetary pledges and humanitarian aid.

There has been an increase in international cooperation between the United States and the countries that opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq in the postwar period. On October 16, 2003, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved UNSC Res. 1511. This resolution authorized a multinational force under unified command (article 13), welcomed countries to pledge substantially to Iraq's reconstruction needs (article 24), and signaled an overall greater role for the United Nations in postwar Iraq. The spirit of international cooperation was also evident at the Madrid International Conference on Reconstruction in Iraq on October 24, 2003. The conference garnered close to $13 billion in aid pledges from countries and donors other than the United States. Some analysts suggest, however, that foreign governments are still hesitant to contribute peacekeeping troops and financial assistance out of fear of appearing to sanction the Iraq war.

Concerns over (1) the deteriorating security situation and troops' safety, (2) the accuracy of prewar intelligence on Iraq, including the unproven assertion of a largescale program to develop chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, and (3) the timetable and design for establishing an internationally recognized, "legitimate" Iraqi government, however, have rekindled the prewar debate over the use of military action against Iraq and predictions about the ease of "regime change" in Iraq. In light of the latter concerns, the U.S. government has recently announced that it may seek an additional U.N. resolution to back its proposal for turning over authority to a sovereign Iraqi government. Presumably, such concerns might affect the extent of foreign support toward postwar Iraq reconstruction.