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13/02/2004
UN equivocates over prospects over early elections in Iraq
The UN has all but conceded that prospects for an early election in Iraq, in time for the official handover of power on June 30 to take place, are now remote.
The head of the UN team charged with considering the issue, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Adviser, Lakhdar Brahimi, appeared more hopeful than optimistic today that early elections could go ahead in the current climate. His assessment was that the timing for early elections in Iraq "should not be held prisoner to any deadline".
Speaking at a press conference following a meeting in Baghdad with the Iraqi Governing Council, Mr Brahimi said that there was consensus among Iraqis for elections and for the formation of a permanent Iraqi government to proceed.
But with masterful use of the diplomatic conundrum, Mr Brahimi said that power-brokers needed to organize elections "as early as possible as but not earlier than possible”.
However, time is running out for preparations and adequately administered balloting to take place before the 30 June deadline.
Mr Brahimi said that his team’s consultations would be completed during the next few days and he would submit a report to the Secretary-General, who will in turn make recommendations to the Iraqis with a date for the elections.
During the week he has been in Iraq, more than 100 Iraqis have been killed in separate car bombs in Baghdad and Iskandiriyah.
(gmcg)
The head of the UN team charged with considering the issue, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Adviser, Lakhdar Brahimi, appeared more hopeful than optimistic today that early elections could go ahead in the current climate. His assessment was that the timing for early elections in Iraq "should not be held prisoner to any deadline".
Speaking at a press conference following a meeting in Baghdad with the Iraqi Governing Council, Mr Brahimi said that there was consensus among Iraqis for elections and for the formation of a permanent Iraqi government to proceed.
But with masterful use of the diplomatic conundrum, Mr Brahimi said that power-brokers needed to organize elections "as early as possible as but not earlier than possible”.
However, time is running out for preparations and adequately administered balloting to take place before the 30 June deadline.
Mr Brahimi said that his team’s consultations would be completed during the next few days and he would submit a report to the Secretary-General, who will in turn make recommendations to the Iraqis with a date for the elections.
During the week he has been in Iraq, more than 100 Iraqis have been killed in separate car bombs in Baghdad and Iskandiriyah.
(gmcg)
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Iraqi elections on track but security must hold, says Annan
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