The UN Security Council passed a resolution lifting all sanctions from Iraq except for the arms deliveries embargo and establishing a legal framework for that country’s postwar structure. The resolution in fact legalizes the activities of the occupation administration headed by representatives of the US and Great Britain.
Perhaps precisely this was the major voting result for Ukraine. The resolution contains a clause according to which all UN member states are invited to participate in creating the conditions for stability and security in the region, thus legalizing the international military presence on Iraqi territory. Hence, adopting the resolution provides specific legal opportunities for working out a decision on the possibility of sending the Ukrainian military contingent to Iraq as part of the international stabilization forces and is evidence of the accuracy of the prognosis made by those who favored Ukraine’s participation in these forces. As we know, Ukraine (as well as twenty other countries) has received an invitation for such cooperation form the United States. It was also mentioned that one of the three responsibility zones in the Iraq occupation administration will be headed by the Poles, and Ukrainian regiment, should Verkhovna Rada approve, can be sent to this sector, although final decision has not yet been made.
The UN Security Council resolution in fact opens the door for beginning the implementation of the projects for rebuilding the country. There is no direct connection but the US, in part, repeatedly stated that the priority in the projects to rebuild Iraq hitherto enjoyed by US companies will be given to the companies from the coalition member countries.
The Ukrainian military’s possible involvement in the stabilization operation was discussed at the closed Warsaw conference, and the discussion is to be studied further. Poland, as is known, would like to see the Ukrainian contingent under its command. In this case a Ukrainian would probably become deputy commander of the multinational division. According to unofficial information, Bulgarian, Dutch, and Danish contingents could also be placed in the same sector. There is a chance that part of the British contingent will also be sent to the Polish sector. Incidentally, the possibility of sending the Ukrainian military under the British command was also discussed in Kyiv.
It had already been mentioned that taking command of a sector in Iraq gives Poland a chance to enter the first string in the game of international politics, while the participation of the Ukrainian contingent would allow Kyiv to position itself as an active subject of international politics and one of the creators of the international system of security.
