] UNITED NATIONS - In the endgame of Iraq diplomacy,
] President Bush warned that the United Nations might be
] rendered irrelevant if the Security Council did not act
] against Saddam Hussein.
]
] But on the brink of war, Washington and its allies said
] something very different: The United Nations will play an
] essential, humanitarian role after the guns are silenced.
]
] Bush called the United Nations "a very important
] organization," and his joint statement with the leaders
] of Britain and Spain at a Sunday summit in the Azores
] Islands said they planned to work closely with the world
] body.
]
] In the event of war, the three countries said they will
] urgently seek approval of new Security Council
] resolutions "that would affirm Iraq's territorial
] integrity, ensure rapid delivery of humanitarian relief,
] and endorse an appropriate post-conflict administration
] for Iraq."