Schroeder calls on coalition to accept central UN role in Iraq

SAINT PETERSBURG (AFP) Apr 11, 2003
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Friday called on the US-led coalition to allow the United Nations to play a central role in post-war Iraq.

"It's no secret that Germany wants a central role for the United Nations in this process," the German leader said here after an one-hour summit with Presidents Jacques Chirac of France and Vladimir Putin of Russia.

The reconstruction of Iraq has to happen "under the umbrella of the United Nations. We need to work out the details with the coalition but we need to agree on the concept," he added.

SPACE.WIRE