As the US-led coalition troops are reportedly thrusting into Baghdad and the second Iraqi city of Basra, Blair and Bush agreed there would be a "vital role" for the United Nations in post-war Iraq.

During their first war summit on March 27 at Camp David, Blair and Bush became divided over what a role the United Nations will play in postwar Iraq, when Bush gave no positive reaction to Blair's suggestion of a strong UN role.

After the Camp David talks, Blair, who analysts say has been pursuing a special relationship with Washington in order to restore Britain's traditional role as a transatlantic "bridge", was forced to readjust his tone.

Blair and Bush were expected to bridge their gap on the issue by reaching an agreement on UN role in post-war Iraq, some analysts said even before this summit at Hillsborough, south of Belfast, the second of its kind since the war broke out on March 20.

In a joint written statement, the two allies pledged to seek UN Security Council resolutions to affirm Iraq's territorial integrity, ensure aid delivery and endorse an "appropriate" post-conflict administration for Iraq.

"We welcome the appointment by the United Nations Secretary-General of a special adviser for Iraq to work with the people of Iraq and coalition representatives," the statement added.

The United Nations would have a "vital role" in the effort to repair Iraq's infrastructure, Blair told reporters at a news conference after his talks with Bush, downplaying UN role in emphasizing that ultimately the country must be run by the Iraqi people.

"The key is that Iraq in the end should be governed by the Iraqi people," Blair said, pledging that British and US forces would not stay in the country "a day longer than necessary".

It was a "false choice" to debate whether Iraq should be run by coalition forces or the United Nations, said Blair, who was believed to be in favor of a stronger UN role in post-conflict Iraq than Bush.

Echoing Blair, Bush said the UN would play a role in all aspects of post-war Iraq, from humanitarian aid to a future interim authority, adding that Iraq would "move as quickly as possible" to an interim authority made up of Iraqis from inside and outside the country.

However, when pressed on what precisely the UN role would be, Bush on Tuesday mentioned only humanitarian work, "suggesting" people to staff the interim authority and helping Iraq "progress."

"When we say vital role for the United Nations, we mean vital role for the United Nations in all aspects of the issue, whether it be humanitarian aid, or whether it be helping to stand up an interim authority. The Iraqi people will decide who's on the Iraqi interim authority," said Bush.

Bush did not spell out how much power the United Nations would have, nor did he elaborate on Washington's plans to place US officials along side Iraqis in the interim administration.

Differences still remain between the United States and Britain, analysts said, over the speed with which Iraq should be handed to an interim Iraqi administration, and the extent to which a US-led group of generals and former diplomats should effectively run the country.

Yet, analysts argued, both Britain and the United States hope their agreed vision of a postwar scenario will placate anti-war nations such as France, Germany and Russia.

"We will move as quickly as possible to place governmental responsibilities under the control of an interim authority composed of Iraqis from both inside and outside the country," Bush vowed at the joint news conference with Blair, adding that the interim authority would serve until a permanent government could be chosen by the Iraqi people.

"Rebuilding of Iraq will require the support and expertise of the international community. We are committed to working with international institutions, including the United Nations, which will have a vital role to play in this task," Bush added.

Blair also pleaded the world to avoid "endless diplomatic wrangles" over the future of Iraq like the international dispute over a second UN resolution on Iraq that preceded the war.

France and Germany, which were most vocal in opposing this US-led war against Iraq, have been insisting that the United Nations should play a central role in the phase of post-war Iraq.

On the unresolved dispute between Europe and the United States, analysts say, Blair might again have to make a difficult choice, but he is very likely to support the United States, which Britain can not afford to fall out with.

(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2003)