Posted on: Sunday, October 19, 2003

EDITORIAL
U.N. vote suggests Iraq split wasn't deep

The United States has won a major diplomatic victory on Iraq at the United Nations — although, while it's long on symbolism, it makes little practical difference.

The Bush administration deserves credit for at least papering over the disastrous splits that opened in the Security Council over Iraq last winter. The resolution — passed by a 15-0 vote, including even Syria — preserves American control over Iraq's emerging political structure, keeps the peacekeeping force under American command — and allows Americans to continue to pick up the lion's share of the tab.

Meanwhile France, Germany and Russia have made clear that they are disappointed that the resolution failed to speed up the transition and handover to Iraqis by the Americans, and won't send troops or money.

So if the resolution won't have much real effect on the ground in Iraq, what is its significance?

First, it enables the United States and the other 14 Security Council members to conduct all their other business with each other without letting disagreement over Iraq poison the well.

Second, it provides a strong indication of how eager all of these countries, including France and Germany, are to have good relations with Washington. Indeed it suggests that Washington, had it tried only a little harder last winter, might well have found common ground from which a united Iraq policy might have gone forward.

And that would have divided the cost, both in lives and in spending, far more favorably for Americans.