|
|
A
Coalition of Weakness
By
Erik Leaver and Sara Johnson
FPIF Policy Report
Back
to Alternative Reader Index
As
U.S. officials look for political cover after losing the drive for a second UN
Security Council resolution, the recently renamed "Coalition to Disarm
Iraq" is the Bush administration's only opportunity to salvage a semblance
of international legitimacy for war. A closer look at the countries involved
reveals that claims to multilateral action in the name of democracy are grossly
exaggerated. In reality, the U.S. is isolated internationally, and a few of the
countries signing on to "liberate" Iraq have human rights records that
rival Saddam Hussein's.
On
Tuesday, March 18th, the State Department released a list of 30 countries
willing to be named as part of the coalition, while President Bush raised the
count to 35 in his speech on March 19th and this list was raised to 45 by March
21st. While the list keeps growing in number it has not increased the fighting
strength of the coalition--only two countries have committed forces in any
number: Great Britain (40,000) and Australia (2,000). The Czech Republic and
Bulgaria have sent chemical and biological defense units of about 150 personnel
each. Poland and Romania also have sent a handful of troops.
Furthermore,
the coalition has not added any diplomatic strength to the mission. These 45
countries make up less than 20% of the world's population and do not make up the
moral equivalent of the United Nations. Despite joining the coalition, the level
of support for the U.S. in many of these countries is extremely weak--in only
two countries in the world, the U.S. and Israel, is popular support greater than
50%. Support is no greater in the global multilateral institutions. Only three
members of the United Nations Security Council and slightly more than one-half
of all NATO members support the United States' mission.
Finally,
the coalition brings little economic strength to the effort. The first Gulf War
cost roughly $60 billion of which the coalition members paid almost the entire
costs of the war. No nation to date has offered any sort of economic assistance
to the U.S. to pay for the escalating costs estimated between $100 and $200
billion.
It
is also unclear how one becomes a member of the coalition. Some countries were
apparently drafted. According to the Washington Post, officials of at
least one of these countries, Colombia, were apparently unaware that they had
been designated as a coalition partner. It is not known how many other
governments first learned of their membership in the coalition through the
media. Other support is lukewarm at best. For example, a spokesman for the
Eritrean Foreign Ministry said to AFP, "We are not having any kind of
involvement."
The
lack of democratic credentials in the coalition is also startling. Human rights,
democracy, and corruption ratings by Freedom House, Transparency International,
and the U.S. State Department illustrate the disconnect between pro-democracy
rhetoric and the undemocratic reality of some of the coalition partners.
Seventeen of the countries were measured to have "not free" or
"partially free" democracies; twenty-four were found to have
significant levels of corruption, and the U.S. State Department concluded that
in nine nations, "The overall human rights situation remained extremely
poor."
Before
the American public starts applauding the administration's newfound commitment
to assembling an international coalition to attack Iraq, it should put the
partners' participation in perspective. The coalition that Bush claims has more
relevance than the UN is not a large group of democratic allies providing
substantial military support and backed by public opinion at home. To the
contrary, the assembled coalition is evidence of the international community's
opposition to war and the administration's lack of commitment to democracy and
human rights.
As
U.S. officials look for political cover after losing the drive for a second UN
Security Council resolution, the recently renamed "Coalition to Disarm
Iraq" is the Bush administration's only opportunity to salvage a semblance
of international legitimacy for war. A closer look at the countries involved
reveals that claims to multilateral action in the name of democracy are grossly
exaggerated. In reality, the U.S. is isolated internationally, and a few of the
countries signing on to "liberate" Iraq have human rights records that
rival Saddam Hussein's.
On
Tuesday, March 18th, the State Department released a list of 30 countries
willing to be named as part of the coalition, while President Bush raised the
count to 35 in his speech on March 19th and this list was raised to 45 by March
21st. While the list keeps growing in number it has not increased the fighting
strength of the coalition--only two countries have committed forces in any
number: Great Britain (40,000) and Australia (2,000). The Czech Republic and
Bulgaria have sent chemical and biological defense units of about 150 personnel
each. Poland and Romania also have sent a handful of troops.
Furthermore,
the coalition has not added any diplomatic strength to the mission. These 45
countries make up less than 20% of the world's population and do not make up the
moral equivalent of the United Nations. Despite joining the coalition, the level
of support for the U.S. in many of these countries is extremely weak--in only
two countries in the world, the U.S. and Israel, is popular support greater than
50%. Support is no greater in the global multilateral institutions. Only three
members of the United Nations Security Council and slightly more than one-half
of all NATO members support the United States' mission.
Finally,
the coalition brings little economic strength to the effort. The first Gulf War
cost roughly $60 billion of which the coalition members paid almost the entire
costs of the war. No nation to date has offered any sort of economic assistance
to the U.S. to pay for the escalating costs estimated between $100 and $200
billion.
It
is also unclear how one becomes a member of the coalition. Some countries were
apparently drafted. According to the Washington Post, officials of at
least one of these countries, Colombia, were apparently unaware that they had
been designated as a coalition partner. It is not known how many other
governments first learned of their membership in the coalition through the
media. Other support is lukewarm at best. For example, a spokesman for the
Eritrean Foreign Ministry said to AFP, "We are not having any kind of
involvement."
The
lack of democratic credentials in the coalition is also startling. Human rights,
democracy, and corruption ratings by Freedom House, Transparency International,
and the U.S. State Department illustrate the disconnect between pro-democracy
rhetoric and the undemocratic reality of some of the coalition partners.
Seventeen of the countries were measured to have "not free" or
"partially free" democracies; twenty-four were found to have
significant levels of corruption, and the U.S. State Department concluded that
in nine nations, "The overall human rights situation remained extremely
poor."
Before
the American public starts applauding the administration's newfound commitment
to assembling an international coalition to attack Iraq, it should put the
partners' participation in perspective. The coalition that Bush claims has more
relevance than the UN is not a large group of democratic allies providing
substantial military support and backed by public opinion at home. To the
contrary, the assembled coalition is evidence of the international community's
opposition to war and the administration's lack of commitment to democracy and
human rights.
Country1
|
Freedom
House Rating 2001-20022
|
Transparency
International Corruption Perceptions Index 20023
|
Quotes
from State Department Human Rights Report Issued in March
20024
|
|
Afghanistan5
|
Not
Free (7,7)
|
Not
rated
|
The
overall human rights situation remained extremely poor.
|
|
Albania
|
Partly
Free (3,4)
|
2.5
|
The
Government's human rights record was poor in many areas; however,
there were some improvements…. Police beat and otherwise abused
suspects, detainees, and prisoners…. Prison conditions remained
poor.
|
|
Australia
|
Free
(1,1)
|
8.6
|
The
Government generally respects the human rights of its citizens, and
the law and judiciary provide effective means of dealing with
individual instances of abuse.
|
|
Azerbaijan
|
Partly
Free (6,5)
|
2.0
|
The
Government's human rights record remained poor…. Some prison
inmates and detainees died in part due to mistreatment by the
authorities. Police tortured and beat persons in custody and used
excessive force to extract confessions. Arbitrary arrest and
detention was a problem.
|
|
Bulgaria
|
Free
(1,3)
|
4.0
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens;
however…its human rights record was poor in other areas. Members
of the security forces were responsible for some killings. Security
forces commonly beat suspects and inmates and beat and mistreated
minorities. Arbitrary arrest and detention were problems.
|
|
Colombia
|
Partly
Free (4,4)
|
3.6
|
Government's
human rights record remained poor…. Government security forces
continued to commit serious abuses, including extrajudicial
killings.
|
|
Costa
Rica
|
Free
(1,1)
|
4.5
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens, and
the law and judiciary provide effective means of dealing with
individual instances of abuse.
|
|
Czech
Republic
|
Free
(1,2)
|
3.7
|
The
Government generally respects the human rights of its citizens;
however, problems remained in some areas. Occasional police violence
and use of excessive force remained a problem.
|
|
Denmark
|
Free
(1,1)
|
9.5
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens, and
the law and judiciary provide effective means of dealing with
instances of individual abuse.
|
|
Dominican
Republic
|
Free
(1,1)
|
3.5
|
The
Government's human rights record was poor…. Police committed
extrajudicial killings. At times members of the security forces
committed abuses with the tacit acquiescence of the civil
authorities. Police arbitrarily arrested and detained suspects and
suspects' relatives.
|
|
El
Salvador
|
Free
(2,3)
|
3.4
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens.
There were no politically motivated killings or disappearances;
however, some police officers committed killings. Police officers
kidnapped persons for profit… used excessive force and mistreated
detainees.
|
|
Eritrea
|
Not
Free (7,6)
|
Not
rated
|
The
Government's poor human rights record worsened, and it committed
serious abuses…. Many observers believe that the police
occasionally resorted to torture and physical beatings of prisoners,
particularly during interrogations.
|
|
Estonia
|
Free
(1,2)
|
5.6
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens and
the large ethnic Russian non-citizen community; however, problems
remained in some areas. Police continued to mistreat prisoners and
detainees and use excessive force.
|
|
Ethiopia
|
Partly
Free (5,5)
|
3.5
|
The
Government's human rights record remained poor; although there were
some improvements in a few areas, serious problems remained.
Security forces committed a number of extrajudicial killings.
|
|
Georgia
|
Partly
Free (4,4)
|
2.4
|
The
Government's human rights record remained poor and worsened in
several areas. Security forces continued to torture, beat, and
otherwise abuse detainees.
|
|
Honduras
|
Partly
Free (3,3)
|
2.7
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens;
however, serious problems remained. Members of the security forces
committed some extrajudicial killings. Well-organized private and
vigilante security forces are alleged to have committed a number of
arbitrary and summary executions. Security force personnel beat and
otherwise abused detainees and other persons.
|
|
Hungary
|
Free
(1,2)
|
4.9
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens;
however, there were serious problems in some areas. Police continued
to use excessive force, beat, and harassed suspects.
|
|
Iceland
|
Free
(1,1)
|
9.4
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens, and
the law and judiciary provide effective means of dealing with
individual instances of abuse.
|
|
Italy
|
Free
(1,2)
|
5.2
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens, and
the law and the judiciary provide effective means of dealing with
instances of individual abuse; however, there were problems in some
areas. There were some reports of police abuse of detainees, and use
of excessive force against ethnic minorities and demonstrators.
|
|
Japan
|
Free
(1,2)
|
7.1
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens;
however, there were problems in some areas. There continued to be
some credible reports that police and prison officials physically
and psychologically abused prisoners and detainees.
|
|
Kuwait
|
Partly
Free (4,5)
|
Not
rated
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens in
many areas; however, its record was poor in some significant areas.
Some police and members of the security forces abused detainees
during interrogation. The judiciary is subject to government
influence…. The law empowers the Government to impose restrictions
on freedom of speech and the press.
|
|
Latvia
|
Free
(1,2)
|
3.7
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens and
the large resident non-citizen community; however, problems remained
in certain areas. Members of the security forces, including the
police and other Interior Ministry personnel, sometimes used
excessive force and mistreated persons.
|
|
Lithuania
|
Free
(1,2)
|
4.8
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens;
however, problems remained in some areas. Police at times beat or
otherwise physically mistreated detainees and misused detention
laws.
|
|
Macedonia
|
Partly
Free (4,4)
|
Not
rated
|
The
Government's human rights record significantly worsened during the
year in the context of the ethnic Albanian insurgency led by the NLA….
Police committed extrajudicial killings and killed civilians during
combat operations.
|
|
Marshall
Islands
|
Free
(1,1)
|
Not
rated
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens, and
the law and the judiciary provide effective means of dealing with
individual instances of abuse.
|
|
Micronesia
|
Free
(1,2)
|
Not
rated
|
The
Government generally respects the human rights of its citizens, and
the law and judiciary provide effective means of dealing with
individual instances of abuse.
|
|
Mongolia
|
Free
(2,3)
|
Not
rated
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens;
however, problems remain in some areas. Members of the police at
times beat prisoners and detainees. Arbitrary arrest and detention
are problems, as is corruption. There are restrictions on due
process for persons arrested or suspected of crimes.
|
|
Netherlands
|
Free
(1,1)
|
9.0
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens, and
the law and judiciary provided effective means of dealing with
individual instances of abuse.
|
|
Nicaragua
|
Partly
Free (3,3)
|
2.5
|
The
Government generally respected many of its citizens' human rights;
however, serious problems remained in some areas. Members of the
security forces committed 15 reported extrajudicial killings at
year's end. Police continued to beat and otherwise abuse detainees.
There were allegations of torture by the authorities.
|
|
Panama
|
Free
(1,2)
|
3.0
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens;
however, there continued to be serious problems in several areas.
Abuse by prison guards is a recurrent problem of the prison system.
The judiciary is subject to political manipulation, and the criminal
justice system is inefficient and often corrupt.
|
|
Palau
|
Free
(1,2)
|
Not
rated
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens.
|
|
Philippines
|
Free
(2,3)
|
2.6
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of citizens;
however, there were serious problems in some areas. Members of the
security services were responsible for extrajudicial killings,
disappearances, torture, and arbitrary arrest and detention; there
were allegations by human rights groups that these problems worsened
as the Government sought to intensify its campaign against the
terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
|
|
Poland
|
Free
(1,2)
|
4.0
|
The
Government generally respects the human rights of its citizens;
however, there were problems in some areas. There were reports that
police mistreated persons in refugee camps.
|
|
Portugal
|
Free
(1,1)
|
6.3
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens;
however, there were problems in some areas...security personnel
occasionally beat and otherwise abused detainees and prisoners.
Discrimination and violence against Roma, minorities, and immigrants
also were problems.
|
|
Romania
|
Free
(2,2)
|
2.6
|
The
Government generally respected the rights of its citizens; however,
its human rights record was poor in some areas. Police use of
excessive force resulted in four deaths. Police officers continued
to beat detainees and reportedly used excessive force.
|
|
Rwanda
|
Not
Free (7,6)
|
Not
rated
|
The
Government's poor human rights record worsened, and the Government
continued to commit numerous, serious abuses. Citizens do not have
the right to change their government. The security forces committed
extrajudicial killings…. Security forces beat suspects, and there
were some reports of torture. Prison conditions remained life
threatening and prisoners died of starvation and preventable
diseases.
|
|
Singapore
|
Partly
Free (5,5)
|
9.3
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens;
however, there were significant problems in some areas. The
Government has wide powers to limit citizens' rights and to handicap
political opposition. There were a few instances of police abuse of
detainees. The Government continues to rely on preventive detention
to deal with espionage, terrorism, organized crime, and narcotics.
|
|
Slovakia
|
Free
(1,2)
|
3.7
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens, and
showed improvement in certain areas; however, problems remained in
some areas. Police on occasion allegedly beat and abused persons,
particularly Roma.
|
|
Solomon
Islands
|
Partly
Free (4,4)
|
Not
rated
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens;
however, there were serious problems…. Armed conflict led to a
serious deterioration in the human rights situation; police and
militants from both sides committed numerous human rights abuses,
including killings, abductions, torture, rape, forced displacement,
looting, and the burning of homes.
|
|
South
Korea
|
Free
(2,2)
|
4.5
|
The
Government generally respects the human rights of its citizens;
however, problems remain in some areas, despite some improvements.
|
|
Spain
|
Free
(1,2)
|
7.1
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens;
however, there were problems in some areas. There were reports that
at times security forces abused detainees and mistreated foreigners
and illegal immigrants.
|
|
Turkey
|
Partly
Free (4,5)
|
3.2
|
The
Government generally respected its citizens' human rights in a
number of areas; however, its record was poor in some areas, and
several serious problems remained. Extrajudicial killings continued,
including deaths due to excessive use of force and torture.
|
|
Uganda
|
Partly
Free (6,5)
|
2.1
|
The
Government generally respected freedom of speech and of the press;
however, there were some instances in which the Government infringed
on these rights. The Government restricted freedom of assembly and
association, and the constitutional restrictions on political
activity effectively continued to limit these rights.
|
|
United
Kingdom
|
Free
(1,2)
|
8.7
|
The
Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens, and
the law and judiciary provide effective means of dealing with
individual instances of abuse; however, there were some problems in
a few areas. There continued to be deaths in police custody,
although their number declined. Members of the police and military
occasionally abused detainees and some other persons.
|
|
Uzbekistan
|
Not
Free (7,6)
|
2.9
|
The
Government's human rights record remained very poor and it continued
to commit numerous serious abuses…. Security force mistreatment
resulted in the deaths of several citizens in custody…. Prison
conditions were poor, and pretrial detention can be prolonged.
|
Notes
1.
The 45 countries listed are those identified by the U.S. State
Department.
2.
Annual Freedom in the World Country Scores 2001-2002 by Freedom
House (www.freedomhouse.org).
The two numbers listed correspond to political rights and civil
liberties, respectively. Both are measured on a one-to-seven scale, with
one representing the highest degree and seven the lowest.
3.
Corruption Perceptions Index calculated by Transparency
International (www.transparency.org)
ranges from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt).
4.
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and
Labor, "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices," (available
at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/).
5.
Information on Afghanistan is taken from 2001-2002 reports and is
not indicative of the current regime
|
Erik
Leaver <erik@ips-dc.org> is an
Associate at Foreign Policy in Focus (online at www.fpif.org)
and Sara Johnson is a researcher at the Institute for Policy Studies (online at www.ips-dc.org).
Bulatlat.com
Back
to top
We
want to know what you think of this article.
|
