Quoting from the
CNN article based on Bush/Blair's press conference this morning:
'Bush said he planned to appeal to the United Nations "for a Chapter 7 resolution setting out a clear framework for cessation of hostilities on an urgent basis, and mandating the multinational force."'
Once again, those who decry the irrelevance of the U.N. and pin their hopes for such on the Bush Administration are frustrated. Not that Bush is doing the U.N. any favors, or that this gambit will work, but nonetheless here he is appealing to the U.N. for help. If anything positive comes out of Iraq, it'll be that the U.S. has to rely on the U.N. for handling disasters instead of acting unilaterally. While the U.N. may or may not be the most effective body to handle this issue (and I think it is), this is much better than having the Bush administration put U.S. troops on the ground to enforce a unilateral "solution" to the problem.
I wonder if Bush even knew about Chapter 7 of the U.N. charter before this conflict. Although he didn't cite it specifically, Article 39 of the charter provides the legal framework for the U.N. Security Council to act:
'The Security Council shall determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression and shall make recommendations, or decide what measures shall be taken in accordance with Articles 41 and 42, to maintain or restore international peace and security.'
It will be interesting to see what sort of language is drafted for approval by the Security Council. This will determine to a large degree whether or not a majority of the Security Council agrees to intervene. This, of course, sets the stage for further attacks on the U.N. -- if the language is viewed to be too pro-Israel then the Security Council will likely veto the resolution. In the end, though, it will be the Security Council as a body that decides what actions to take. Bush and Blair can draft whatever they want and present it, but the real political work will come once the resolution is before the Council for consideration.
I find it interesting that this should come up at the same time as Bolton's nomination hearings. What sort of dance will the Administration perform to get him confirmed? If he's set up as a key player in getting the resolution through then that'd grease the skids for his nomination. Of course, Bolton isn't the only one whose political future could be helped by a successful outcome. Bush himself, I am sure, is looking for a victory here to boost his poll numbers. Whether or not that will affect the congressional races in November remains to be seen, but rest assured that Bush will push for a quick and politically useful resolution to the conflict.