Should the UN go back to Iraq?

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan says he will "shortly" announce whether a UN team is ready to return to Iraq.

It will come after talks with the US Attorney General John Ashcroft and two leading members of Iraq's government, although not head of the US occupation authorities, Paul Bremer.

Most UN staff left Iraq after the devastating August car-bomb which killed at least 20 people including special envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello

Should the UN go back to Iraq? Should Nato have a role in Iraq? Send us your comments.

Put your questions to Nato's new secretary general, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer

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This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

If the United Nations ever wishes to increase its credibility and effectiveness it should not shy away from problems and world trouble spots. The UN has a duty clearly outlined in its Charter, which we as the nations who created, fund, and support this organization need to pressure them to uphold. The UN has a responsibility to the citizens of Iraq. The political situation between the Americans and the UN should be no reason for the UN to shy away from its mandate.
Carolynne Burkholder, Prince George, BC, Canada

The UN should not go back until the personnel can be protected. The UN is there to help the Iraqi people, in a humanitarian role, not a military sidekick of the US. Since the US is responsible for the chaos, it is up to them to restore order so humanitarian missions (not only the UN's) can resume.
MIke, Cyprus (ex-Australia)

The UN is not a political pawn to be used and/or rendered irrelevant when convenient by the U.S. No, the U.N should not go back in as long as the U.S military presence is in Iraq. It will be impossible to appear neutral, and the U.N will continue to be the target of attacks.
Alex Thomas, Charlottesvill, VA

Let's get on with helping establish an independent nation in Iraq Sandra Jay, KC MO, USA

Yes, Yes and Yes. Goodness, can we get over the name calling and blaming. Let's get on with helping establish an independent nation in Iraq. The US is undeniably paying for the reconstruction. Postponing UN involvement does not serve to make a point, it only serves to prolong the process.
Sandra Jay, KC MO, USA

The UN has no business in Iraq. The UN is an impotent organization which has well out-lived its usefulness in matters such as these. The UN seems to do well at alleviating humanitarian crisis, but has a terrible record at nation-building. Better to leave the UN as it is, a forum for nations to whine and strut and leave the business of building a workable democracy in Iraq to those who understand it.
Rowland Parks, Virginia, USA

The fear among conservatives in the US is that there would only be one vote, a vote to give the Shia clerics all of the power. I think Bush is using the UN to buy time - he isn't serious about immediate democracy for Iraq. In my view, he wants a client state which will be an example of an Americanized Muslim nation, and a strategic military base from which to dominate the gulf region, very much like we had in Iran under the Shah.
Peter Vevang, Minneapolis, USA

I believe the UN will decide to go back to Iraq. Despite being treated as janitors by the coalition, they will put the good of the people of Iraq first. The most important thing is that their security should come first. Perhaps a few of the troops currently guarding the ministry of oil should be allocated for their protection.
EC, USA

It is not the time appropriate for UN to intervene. The UN should have intervened in Iraq before the unilateral war. Considering the present circumstances, the UN should provide only humanitarian support in Iraq. The UN should intervene in Iraq only once the resistance attacks are minimised, which may save innocent officials, who have no interest in Oil or business gains, but only human values and considerations.
Akbar, India

I think that the UN should not back the US. US turned their backs on them and the rest of the world to host a pointless war. There were thousands that didn't support the war and they were ignored. If the UN goes back, then tomorrow, a more serious situation could arise and the UN will be shunned again. I think the US did the damage and they should live with their consequences.
Naz, London, UK

It's clear that the US has created a mess for itself which despite all its power and money it cannot resolve by itself. Reon Brand, Eindhoven

I absolutely condemn US and UK for the Gung Ho attitude towards the Iraq invasion but the US is the biggest funder of the UN. If they were to withdraw their funding there would be no UN of any significance. It's clear that the US has created a mess for itself which despite all its power and money it cannot resolve by itself. This is a good opportunity for the UN to step in and show the value of the organization to the global community. The US should 'guarantee' the safety of the UN in Iraq. This is a good opportunity to make Bush eat humble pie. The UN should demand to be responsible for administrating global funds allocated for the rebuilding of Iraq. They should award the contracts, not the US, and demand this as a prerequisite for stepping in now.
Reon Brand, Eindhoven, Netherlands

They should have never left. What good are they if they run when the going gets tough? The UN should stick to education, health, food issues - this is all they are good at.
Nathan Brown, Macon, USA

I wish Mr Annan will use this opportunity to make Bush administration realize value of UN Sangam Dhruva, USA

Hummm... situation in Iraq must be very scary if Mr Bush thinks he needs UN. Apart from helping people of Iraq, I wish Mr Annan will use this opportunity to make Bush administration realize value of UN.
Sangam Dhruva, USA

The UN is irrelevant to progress in Iraq. The fate of the country now lies in the hands of its citizens. Fail and you have only yourselves to blame. Succeed and realize you are responsible for it.
Xtela, USA

I am not Iraqi, but if my newly born child died because of the UN sanctions, then the UN would become my enemy. The UN in its present form is the problem. It has allowed many nations to commit genocide under its name. It should not go to Iraq or anywhere else.
Hakim H, Montreal, Canada

The UN should never have been shunned by the United States concerning the situation in Iraq. If cooler heads had prevailed and the weapons inspectors had been allowed to do their jobs we might not be spending billions of dollars a day on a pointless war. Also, to clear a few things up, most Americans are against the war in Iraq, but are ignored by our government. Some Democracy. You cannot gauge a people by the propaganda their government spews forth.
Jessica Hays, USA

Bring back the UN and oust the US/UK occupation in Iraq Chantelle, Manchester, UK

Bring back the UN and oust the US/UK occupation in Iraq. I support the UN because their goals are FOR the people and have nothing to financially gain as opposed to individual countries who have their own financial interests at the forefront of their aims.
Chantelle, Manchester, UK

Why UN should help US for clearing the mess when it went on to invade Iraq by saying "America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country".
Sreedhar, India

The UN will only go back as a target for another attack, so no. Let the Americans reap what they sow.
Bilal Patel, London, UK

Absolutely not. The insane efforts of the US government, backed by a huge majority of it's people, to create global conflict with just one single terrorist act as an excuse, should not be supported by anyone.
Steve, UK

Why should we send our children to die for Mr Bush?
Vincent, Paris, France

What UN can do? NOTHING. UN has no credibility left. No, UN should not go back to Iraq.
Parry, Canada

Yes the UN should return; the entire world will benefit from a democratic Iraq, and all must help to create a democratic Iraq.
Robert, Zurich, Switzerland

The UN should have a role in Iraq, but unfortunately it has displayed an inability of staying the course in the face of danger after it withdrew its staff in the wake of the suicide bombings. The UN needs to prove it won't run away again before taking on a responsibility as serious as administering Iraq.
Miguel, California, USA

UN should go to Iraq and see what Iraqis want Said Boukheffa, Doha, State of Qatar

"The purposes of the United Nations, as set forth in the Charter, are to maintain international peace and security; to develop friendly relations among nations; to cooperate in solving international economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining these ends". These words are neither mine nor anybody else's. Rather they are those of the signatories of the UN charter more than half a century ago, precisely 24 October 1945.

UN should go to Iraq and see what Iraqis want at the time being and how do they would prefer to step forward for it is their right to and no one else could decide on their behalf. The UN as is understood from the words above is the only channel should US and the rest of member nations see Iraq regaining its role in the international community to take its part in attaining the UN's ends.
Said Boukheffa, Doha, State of Qatar

If the US doesn't completely finish what they started they will look like they failed. Now they are trying to make it look like winning UN support is the victory. At the end of the day it won't matter, UN or no UN. If the UN goes in, it will sustain casualties and may fold again proving the US was right all along. If they don't fold, the US will pull out the maximum troops they can, while making the trillions the set out to make while cutting down their casualties.
Steve, Canada

The USA started the let them finish and clean up their mess. It's too late to ask UN for help, the US should have listened to the UN in the first place. They would not be in the mess they are in now
Darrell, Calgary, Canada

UN is made of many governments that cannot manage their own economies and are repressing their own people. Iraqis don't want them to come to our country and do the same. At least Bush's America is rich and free. Better "bad" Bush than "good" UN.
Ahmed, Baghdad, Iraq

I agree with those who say to leave it to Iraq to ask the UN for help. Bush isn't asking for help for Iraq, he is asking for the UN to take over so he can concentrate on the election and blame the UN for the disaster that seems to be in the works. Iraq is not Bush's possession.
K. C., USA

No, the UN should stay out of Iraq until the US and Paul Bremer have relinquished control. Otherwise the UN's representatives will just be seen as puppets of the US, and they would be targets for assassination, as they were before. Bush & Co. made the current mess in Iraq, make them clean it up!
Donald Johnson, Chiangrai, Thailand

Allowing UN to take over Iraq is a recipe for disaster Al, Moscow, Russia

There are many examples where US has helped to rebuild post war nations into strong democracies and prosperous economies, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. UN, on the other hand, has a notorious record of standing by and letting nations fall apart and genocides happen, Iraq included. I can hardly think of a country that is in good shape thanks to UN administering it. Therefore, allowing UN to take over Iraq is a recipe for disaster.
Al, Moscow, Russia

Absolutely not unless they are given absolute carte blanche to expel any and every US & UK person, and void any and all commercial contracts.
Steve, UK

As an American citizen, I think bush should be forced to bear the burden of Iraq without UN/EU assistance. He wanted the war, now let him figure out how to salvage the situation. The UN/EU should not be helping him save himself.
l. Duvall, Ha Noi, Viet Nam

What UN would do in Iraq? It does not have an army and was never able to protect anyone without American/European help (remember Bosnia). It does not have money (US represent 25% of UN budget). It does not have an expertise in nation building. So what is it bringing except an approval stamp from France?
Yury Shmuylovich, NYC, USA

The UN was irrelevant to the US, the UK and Spain before the war. They chose at that time not to be a part of a global association of nations. Now the going gets tough, the UN should step in to provide help to the coalition. Self-interest again?!
Steven, Belgium

I think Annan is smart enough to work that all out and play Bush at his own game John Farmer, Henley-on-Thames

The UN should only go back to Iraq if the US hands over the placing of contracts for rebuilding the country as well as the overseeing of the elections. I seem to recall George Bush appearing on Fox TV saying he didn't need to let go of the process, now he is asking the UN to get him out of trouble in Iraq without handing out the necessary incentive. I think Annan is smart enough to work that all out and play Bush at his own game. Watch this space.
John Farmer, Henley-on-Thames, UK

It would be very kind and forgiving if the UN should agree to return to Iraq. I say yes, please come and help us. However, if the UN returns they absolutely must insist to returning on their own terms.
Steven Mandell, St Paul, Minnesota USA

Ask the Iraqi people. Not the CPA, UN nor anyone else.
Nalin, Perth, Australia

Yes! We in the US need to do all we can to regain our credibility with the Iraqis and the world.
Allyne, Glyndon, USA

Isn't it about time to give the people of Iraq what they want? Let them decide if they want the UN and/or NATO to have a role in their future. Let them decide if they want to have one country or a federation based on different religious beliefs. And most of all, let them decide if they want to live as a civilized society respecting the rights of the individual.
Walter, Chicago, USA

Well, unfortunately I think yes. The US will be completely unable to rebuild a Nation. But of course the UN should have a clear and strong mandate given by Iraqis themselves rather than by the US. Maybe a rapid referendum for Transitional Government with UN support can be a way to go. Utopic? Yes!
Pedro Camargo, York, England

The one who lost credibility in integrity, courage and relevancy in this mess are the US. I hope for Iraqis future that UN will go back in this country. But this can not occur at any conditions: the invaders, who are today asking for help, must let the head of reconstruction to UN.
N. GIBERT, Paris, FRANCE

Yes, the UN should return. It would go a long way to re-establish credibility that is completely lacking in areas of integrity, courage and relevancy. The Iraqi people want elections and their own nation. The UN should stop stalling, stop listening to the straw polls of a few disgruntled and bitter US haters and begin helping.
Lisa, USA

Humanitarian efforts do not dilute the ethical stance the UN has upheld Ken, UK

Kofi Annan is right to uphold the UN's mission to bring relief to civilian populations in war zones. The clamour to let the coalition struggle on unaided, whether or not the situation is of their own making, runs counter to the aims of the UN. International politics should be put aside as they have been in many other situations. Humanitarian efforts do not dilute the ethical stance the UN has upheld.
Ken, UK

An organization that is determined to stay safe at home when there is violence abroad can hardly be counted as useful for solving international conflict. What then is the UN's purpose?
Mark, USA

I think, the UN should return Iraq immediately; it will ensure security and provide human aid for Iraq public.
Nazli Senol, Istanbul, Turkey

Nazli Senol, Istanbul, Turkey: The UN are now seen as 'soft targets' which is why they were bombed. If they can't even provide security for themselves how can they be expected to provide it for a whole country? The UN is a joke and should be disbanded.
Rick, UK

Though it would be good to see the UN return to Iraq I wonder if it would still be safe for them Trevor, Netherlands/UK

Though it would be good to see the UN return to Iraq I wonder if it would still be safe for them. It is all fine and well believing that everything will be so much better without the occupying forces remaining in Iraq, but the casualties are not those purely from the forces there but include Iraqi people also.
Trevor, Netherlands/UK

The UN should not help US in their struggles, even though they need it. US started the war without any support and have to make it work.
Christoffer, Gothenburg, Sweden

The UN should not go back to Iraq. Bush has humiliated the UN and now he wants its help only because of the Presidential election in the USA. Let the Americans pay the price of their arrogance and self-sufficiency. We are not their soldiers. Our men don't have to die in Iraq to allow Bush to go on with his evil madness. Let him down like he let us down!
Bella, France

They should never have left. They had been warned prior to the bombing but failed to take sensible defensive precautions. I thought the withdrawal was cowardly. UN troops should replace the US troops and stop the Americans lining their pockets with the profits from rebuilding the very things they destroyed
Peter Cross, Singapore

The past is the past. We cannot leave and let Iraq become another powder keg. The U.N. is needed in Iraq and so was Saddam's removal.
Tom , St. Louis, MO

Let us agree that it is better to be late than never! M Khan, Texas, USA

For those who oppose UN's entry in Iraq, what is the realistic solution? Let us agree that it is better to be late than never!
M Khan, Texas, USA

The UN must lend its uniform to the US as disguise. After all the US is the world's great military might. Who best can face the challenges of this new chaos.
Jack Manner

The UN should go to Iraq, provided the US agrees to withdraw from there forthwith. The presence of occupying forces seems to be what is causing the mayhem at present.
George, Ottawa, Canada

UN should not in any way go back to Iraq as regards transfer of power. This is because US did not yield to the advice of UN before the commencement of the war. US should finish what they started
Abdulfatai, Lagos, Nigeria

UN has failed in Iraq similar to Somalia almost 10 years ago, and the return of UN is not the solution to the mayhem in Iraq.
Elmi Abdulle, Mogadishu, Somalia

The UN should not only go back to Iraq, but also take over its administration, reconstruction, elections, constitution-making and transfer of power T Ramakrishnan, New Orleans

The UN should not only go back to Iraq, but also take over its administration, reconstruction, elections, constitution-making and transfer of power, with the US and NATO providing logistic and financial support. This has the best chance of success. The alternative is a festering conflict that destabilizes the region and taxes America's resources in a counter productive venture or a disorderly pull out by the Coalition, which replaces one dictator by a motley crowd of mutually antagonistic war lords and messianic clergy. Thiruvengadam Ramakrishnan, New Orleans, LA, USA

Part of me is appalled that our government goes and starts a war against UN wishes - yet later on wants them to come in and clean up our mess. We continually blow up countries and let the UN clean up our messes. No wonder so much of the world views us negatively! However, UN forces would be more likely to be accepted and get the job done. At this point, what is important is getting Iraq put back together and governing itself.
Franzine Gies, Appleton, USA

The UN should go to Iraq only on humanitarian grounds to help the Iraqi's and not involve in peacekeeping. It is America's headache and voluntarily chosen by it.
Manish Gangal, New Delhi, India

The UN is unqualified, and incapable of being of use to Iraqi people. The UN in Iraq is as awkward as Michael Jordan on a soccer field - Great player, wrong game.
Dan, USA

The UN should be there no matter what Adrian, UK

If the UN runaway from where they are desperately needed just because of security concerns (which of course are great) then it makes a mockery of what they stand for. The Americans have sustained loses and so has nearly every other country involved in Iraq. The UN should be there no matter what - increase their own presence and security otherwise it just shows you can defeat them with ease.
Adrian, UK

Yes of course they should return. It does upset me when people say 'let the US clean up their mess' and comments of a similar nature. It's about the future not the past and about Iraq not the US. NATO should only be used if requested by the UN. Yes, the UN should return, yes they should take control and yes Iraq needs to be controlled by their own elected government as soon as possible.
Stan wade, London, UK

How has the UN failed in Iraq by not supporting a war which has still not been justified? The UN should stay away from Iraq, it has lost enough civilians there already and valuable resources are better spent on other Missions.
FS, UK

The UN should only go into Iraq if the Iraqi people request it John, Canada

The USA negated the UN's importance when it invaded Iraq. The UN should only go into Iraq if the Iraqi people request it. Any request for UN assistance in Iraq from the USA should be denied.
John, Canada

The UN watched Iraqi dying by millions and did nothing. The US have found the WMD (Saddam. He killed millions of Iraqi, Iranian & Kuwaiti people. If the US pull out and leave the UN in charge after a first suicide bomb they will run away from there responsibility and leave Iraq in mess. Iraqi will never forget the people who did nothing except leave Saddam in power.
Sahab Hadi , Iraqi in Glasgow, UK

I always believe that the UN should have played a mayor role in the Iraq affair, but our world police thought they could do it alone. Now they see that they are not so let's give them another chance, bring back the UN.
Gabino, Panama

The UN should only go back to Iraq only if and when the Americans leave Dennis, Barcelona, Spain

The UN should only go back to Iraq only if and when the Americans leave. The Iraq war has shown that the UN, far from being useless as some comments suggest, should play a more significant role in world affairs. After all, the UN was right to oppose a war in Iraq since there where no weapons of mass destruction, no link to al-Qaeda, and no link to 11 September. The UN becomes useless only when rogue nations act on their own, regardless of international law.
Dennis, Barcelona, Spain

Kofi Annan has consistently proved himself to be the best diplomat, with the most original ideas. Maybe we should wait and see what he has to say on the matter.
Neil McClelland, Japan

Yes - the UN and Nato should be present. Iraq needs all the help it can get to ensure a reasonably stable environment for fair and safe elections. It was understandable that neither organization wanted to be a party to the invasion of Iraq, but now they have the opportunity to prove their real usefulness! If they don't help now, then I do not see a future role for either of these expensive organizations.
JN, Brussels, Belgium

I agree with Martin, the UN should have never left. The bigger question, however, is what does the UN want to be when it grows up? A global humanitarian organization? A peace keeping organization? A military organization? A political organization? Right now, they have a decent, peace-loving man running the shop with no vision or charisma to boot. Who are you, UN?!!??
Jeff, Cincinnati, USA

A special UN representative should replace Mr. Bremer Gilles Pion, Montréal Canada

Not only should the UN go back to Iraq but it should take charge of all reconstruction plans and monitoring of implementation. A special UN representative should replace Mr. Bremer. The gradual withdrawal of the foreign troops presently in Iraq should be planned and carried out.
Gilles Pion, Montréal Canada

It's very strange that the so called Guardian of democracy "U.S.A." is totally reluctant to allow any real shape of democracy in Iraq, by prohibiting direct elections. As for the UN, well I think history is repeating itself just like what happened in the 30s just before WWII is happening again...I hope I'm not around when WWIII starts.
Selim Gamal, Cairo, Egypt

I really believe that the US should give the power back to the Iraqi people and get them to elect a new Government. I also get the impression that the Iraqi people believe the US soldiers are AGAINST them and that is not how it actually is.
Kelly-Marie. McCormick, Southampton & England

The "coalition" must be willing to give the UN total control of the political, economic, and military situation Aristides Garcia, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

For the UN to have any credibility in Iraq, the "coalition" must be willing to give the UN total control of the political, economic, and military situation and a short time table set for the withdrawal of "coalition" troops. If this is not to happen quickly, bloodshed will continue on a much larger scale.
Aristides Garcia, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

I still don't understand America's justification for the whole affair, and they should definitely clean up their own messes, rather than seek legitimacy by handing it to Nato. The fact that the Iraqi's want their own democratic elections displays the desire for self government, and they shouldn't be denied it after so many decades under dictatorship.
David, New Zealand

Let the US sort out the mess they created and rebuild what they have destroyed (at their expense). In this day and age the UN is a pretty useless organisation, let Iraqi's sort out their own problems without outside interference.
Vic Milicevic, Johannesburg, South Africa

If an elected Iraqi government asks for UN help, all well and good Frank Doleman, Glasgow UK

The US government rushed into this insane war without any thought of UN approval. Now it seems the main aim of those who started this "war for democracy" is to avoid by any means letting the Iraqis have an election. If an elected Iraqi government asks for UN help, all well and good, otherwise the international community should do nothing to legitimise the occupation.
Frank Doleman, Glasgow UK

Both should play a role for a better future of Iraq people.
Nyibule Charles, Nairobi, Kenya

The UN has proved itself to be pretty useless and should be disbanded. The whole mess in Iraq has been created by the 'pussy footing ' nations which gave Saddam the idea he had nothing to fear. I don't see how this organization in it's present form could do anything other than talk which is the only real thing it has done throughout its existence.
john, France

The US and its allies should fulfil the traditional UN role, whatever the blood cost. It's not as if they weren't warned about this beforehand.
Jon E, France

The UN should never have left, and should return immediately Martin, London, UK

The UN should never have left, and should return immediately. Their first purpose is to attempt to rid the world of the scourge of war, so they have to be present in the world's hot spots.
Martin, London, UK

The U.N. has proven that it is an out dated alliance. Just as the "League of Nations" failed the test of relevancy in the late 1930s over the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, so the U.N. has failed the test of relevancy over the U.S. led invasion of Iraq. Like Humpty Dumpty it cannot be put back together again. This is equally true for all Post WWII alliances like NATO and SEATO. The EU is assembling its' own post Nato force, while the U.S. turns to China to address the North Korean problem. Its a Brave New Post Cold War World.
William L. Donlon, Rochester New York U.S.A.

The United Nations should return to Iraq on condition that the occupation forces in Iraq leave unconditionally and hand over the responsibility of governing the country until an elected government is put in place. The Americans and their Supporters can't give security to the staff from the UN, when they can not guarantee it for themselves!
Srinivausan Toft, Humlebæk, Denmark