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17/12/2003
Annan calls for 'clarity' over UN's Iraq role
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has outlined plans for reconstituting the world body’s work in Iraq while appealing for "clear guidance" on what role it is being asked to fulfil.
Addressing the Security Council yesterday, just three days following the capture of Saddam Hussein, Mr Annan said the arrest provided “an opportunity for a new beginning in the vital task of helping Iraqi’s take control of their destiny” by creating a secure and stable country.
He stressed the urgency of restoring sovereignty to the Iraqis, and pledged the UN’s "active engagement".
“Our on-the-ground engagement in important political and human rights work has suffered tremendously as a result of the 19 August bombing, which decimated the Office of the Special Representative, the core part of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq,” Mr Annan said.
Special Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello was among the 22 victims of that attack. Earlier this month, the Secretary-General named a veteran UN humanitarian aid official, Ross Mountain, as Acting Special Representative.
In his address to the Security Council, the Secretary General said that the new envoy would head efforts to establish a core of UNAMI based outside the country while planning for the missions “eventual and incremental return to Iraq as soon as circumstances permit”.
Until then, the Secretary-General said much can be done from outside the country, and pledged his personal involvement in this effort.
“I myself remain in close contact with heads of State and government, foreign ministers and ambassadors trying to help forge international consensus on the way forward,” he said.
Mr Annan called on Council members to provide “much greater clarity on what is expected of the UN by Iraqis and by the coalition in terms of assistance to the political transition”.
(gmcg)
Addressing the Security Council yesterday, just three days following the capture of Saddam Hussein, Mr Annan said the arrest provided “an opportunity for a new beginning in the vital task of helping Iraqi’s take control of their destiny” by creating a secure and stable country.
He stressed the urgency of restoring sovereignty to the Iraqis, and pledged the UN’s "active engagement".
“Our on-the-ground engagement in important political and human rights work has suffered tremendously as a result of the 19 August bombing, which decimated the Office of the Special Representative, the core part of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq,” Mr Annan said.
Special Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello was among the 22 victims of that attack. Earlier this month, the Secretary-General named a veteran UN humanitarian aid official, Ross Mountain, as Acting Special Representative.
In his address to the Security Council, the Secretary General said that the new envoy would head efforts to establish a core of UNAMI based outside the country while planning for the missions “eventual and incremental return to Iraq as soon as circumstances permit”.
Until then, the Secretary-General said much can be done from outside the country, and pledged his personal involvement in this effort.
“I myself remain in close contact with heads of State and government, foreign ministers and ambassadors trying to help forge international consensus on the way forward,” he said.
Mr Annan called on Council members to provide “much greater clarity on what is expected of the UN by Iraqis and by the coalition in terms of assistance to the political transition”.
(gmcg)
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