U.N. and Postwar Recovery

Re “If U.S. Opts to Go It Alone in Postwar Iraq, Instability Is Likely to Follow,” news analysis, April 7: Ronald Brownstein falls into the same trap as many left-leaning political commentators. Having opposed the war in Iraq vociferously because of its “unilateral” nature, they now move on to opposing a postwar Iraq reconstructed unilaterally by the United States.

The argument that the war and any forthcoming reconstruction in Iraq are unilateral is false. France, Russia and China refused to back the U.S. and Britain for their own selfish reasons. The rest of Europe can be counted as allies in the war and all will share in the reconstruction of Iraq, along with Japan, South Korea and India.

The United Nations has been a complete disaster in administering the reconstruction of Kosovo. The U.N. may have a role to play in administering humanitarian aid but it does not deserve to be a major player in creating a democratic Iraqi government.

James Slemaker

Pacific Palisades

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If the Bush administration is seriously committed to helping the Iraqi people and creating a free society, it must be willing to relinquish control of Iraq to the United Nations as soon as the war ends. The debate within the administration shows how unprepared it is to implement nation-building in Iraq. Not only would a U.N. effort provide the greatest benefits for the people of Iraq, it would also be a first step in mitigating the damage to international relations caused by the administration’s rush to war.

George Broyles

Claremont

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Re “Annan Talks Up Postwar U.N. Role,” April 8: Does anybody remember the story of “The Little Red Hen”? How she asked the animals for help to harvest her crop and no one would help, so she worked very hard with her chicks and finally the bread was ready to eat. Suddenly the animals who refused to help wanted a piece. This is exactly what is going on right now. The U.S. and Britain do all the dirty work and the U.N. wants to say what should be done now that Saddam Hussein is gone. Forget it.

Jose L. Santos

Montebello

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Even if our president “broke it,” it has to be the United Nations that will repair the damage in Iraq. Leadership on this sensitive project of healing, reconciliation and mending cannot credibly be accomplished by the lone superpower responsible for the destruction.

The Rev. Juan Romero

Chatsworth