WHY WAS THE UN BOMBED IN IRAQ?
The deadly bombing of UN headquarters in Baghdad Aug. 19 was one more tragic result of the Bush administration's unjust, illegal and immoral war against Iraq.
And it is one more indication — along with the mounting anger over the continuing suffering, chaos and deprivation inflicted upon the Iraqi people by the invasion, and the resulting guerrilla war against the U.S. occupation — that the White House imperial adventure in Iraq is becoming an utter fiasco.
Many people are asking, why was the UN a target since its only task is to assist in the reconstruction of Iraq? In the eyes of many Iraqis, however, the UN role has been far more complex.
For example, Washington's invasion was not condemned by the United Nations even though it was a clear violation of the UN charter, to which the U.S. is a signatory. Further, the UN has recognized in practice the legitimacy of the U.S.-selected Iraqi governing council, a group which can only make decisions with the approval of Washington. Also, the UN mission in Iraq, under the limited mandate permitted by the White House, is indirectly providing the U.S. with the semblance of international support for its war and occupation.
Lastly, and to many Iraqis most importantly, the sanctions maintained by the U.S. for 12 years, which have resulted in the deaths of well over a million civilians, were carried out under UN auspices.