Despite the ratification of a new United Nations Security Council resolution on Iraq, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan late on Saturday again mentioned the need to bring an end to the occupation of Iraq. He stated that it was necessary to establish a timetable to allay Iraqis' worries about the future, saying, "There should be a road map that makes it clear to the Iraqis when the occupation will end and...an Iraqi government, internationally recognized, will be formed."

He added that discussions about a greater UN role in Iraq, including the possibility of organizing a multinational force, were still at an early stage. "I don't see a second resolution on that for some time, if we are going to get one," he said.

Annan's remarks show that the U.S. plan to attack Iraq, the implementation of the plan, and the occupation of the country were all clear violations of international law.

Although U.S. officials have been under international pressure, they were eventually able to convince the UN Secretary Council to approve Resolution 1500 on Iraq through lobbying and giving concessions to some permanent members of the Secretary Council. However, this does not mean that the world approves of the oppressive measures the United States is implementing in Iraq.

It should be noted that the U.S. wanted the UN Security Council to officially recognize Iraq's transitional Governing Council, but the Security Council only welcomed its establishment without officially recognizing it.

It seems that the UN, which usually defends the interests of the United States, is taking a more independent stance on this issue by refusing to recognize the occupation of Iraq as legal according to international law.

Although Resolution 1500 authorizes the establishment of a UN special office in Iraq, giving the UN a slightly larger role in that country can not reduce the brutality of the U.S. occupation.

It is absolutely clear that as long as Iraq is occupied by coalition forces, it will be impossible for international forces or organizations to reestablish stability in the country. This was proven by the events of the day after the ratification of Resolution 1500.