Menu
22/10/2004
Iraq elections only 'technically possible' in current climate
Elections scheduled in Iraq for January are only "technically possible" if the security situation there does not improve, the UN secretary general has said.
Speaking to reporters upon arriving at UN Headquarters in New York, Kofi Annan said the polls will have the best chance of succeeding when the UN is able to send in more personnel to help with planning – making better security the key to progress.
He also stressed that it was up to the Iraqis – “who are planning the elections, who are organising the elections” – to decide if the polls go forward.
“We still have a couple of months yet," Mr Annan said. "But at this point, it is still technically possible, depending upon what happens in the next couple of months."
The Secretary-General acknowledged that additional UN staff must be sent to Iraq as developments move forward.
“But the circumstances have to be conducive in the sense that either we have to notice a genuine improvement in the security environment or solid arrangements for the protection of the staff,” he said.
Fiji has agreed to provide a protective security detail for senior UN officials in Iraq, as well as a guard unit for its facilities in Baghdad.
Talks are still ongoing with the US-led multinational force (MNF) on a unit to provide UN perimeter security, as well as armed escorts for UN personnel as they travel outside the international zone in Baghdad.
Mr Annan said the MNF has indicated it “will do that and we are in discussions with them to determine exactly how they will do it and what their capacity is for us to make the judgments that we have to make”.
(gmcg/mb)
Speaking to reporters upon arriving at UN Headquarters in New York, Kofi Annan said the polls will have the best chance of succeeding when the UN is able to send in more personnel to help with planning – making better security the key to progress.
He also stressed that it was up to the Iraqis – “who are planning the elections, who are organising the elections” – to decide if the polls go forward.
“We still have a couple of months yet," Mr Annan said. "But at this point, it is still technically possible, depending upon what happens in the next couple of months."
The Secretary-General acknowledged that additional UN staff must be sent to Iraq as developments move forward.
“But the circumstances have to be conducive in the sense that either we have to notice a genuine improvement in the security environment or solid arrangements for the protection of the staff,” he said.
Fiji has agreed to provide a protective security detail for senior UN officials in Iraq, as well as a guard unit for its facilities in Baghdad.
Talks are still ongoing with the US-led multinational force (MNF) on a unit to provide UN perimeter security, as well as armed escorts for UN personnel as they travel outside the international zone in Baghdad.
Mr Annan said the MNF has indicated it “will do that and we are in discussions with them to determine exactly how they will do it and what their capacity is for us to make the judgments that we have to make”.
(gmcg/mb)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 April 2003
Regulatory body for security guards and bouncers launched
In a shake up of the private security industry announced today bouncers and wheel clampers will have to be licensed and regulated by the new Security Industry Authority (SIA). The measures are designed to protect the public from rogue operators and create higher standards of recruitment and training for private security operatives and managers.
Regulatory body for security guards and bouncers launched
In a shake up of the private security industry announced today bouncers and wheel clampers will have to be licensed and regulated by the new Security Industry Authority (SIA). The measures are designed to protect the public from rogue operators and create higher standards of recruitment and training for private security operatives and managers.
30 March 2004
Annan demands resignations following Baghdad bomb probe
Kofi Annan has called for the resignations of senior UN officials, following the publication of a highly critical report into a terrorist attack on the UN's headquarters in Baghdad last August that killed 22 people – including the UN's top envoy in Iraq.
Annan demands resignations following Baghdad bomb probe
Kofi Annan has called for the resignations of senior UN officials, following the publication of a highly critical report into a terrorist attack on the UN's headquarters in Baghdad last August that killed 22 people – including the UN's top envoy in Iraq.
17 December 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.
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.
20 August 2003
Rescue operation scaled down in devastated Baghdad UN HQ
The search for people trapped alive in the devastated Baghdad headquarters of the UN is being scaled down following yesterday afternoon's bomb attack. The latest casualty figures for those killed stands at 17 and 100 people injured in the blast that ripped through the hotel building collapsing part of the structure.
Rescue operation scaled down in devastated Baghdad UN HQ
The search for people trapped alive in the devastated Baghdad headquarters of the UN is being scaled down following yesterday afternoon's bomb attack. The latest casualty figures for those killed stands at 17 and 100 people injured in the blast that ripped through the hotel building collapsing part of the structure.
24 October 2003
Security will determine UN's involvement in Iraq, says official
A top UN humanitarian official has told the Iraq donors’ conference in Madrid that security is “the single most important factor” shaping the world body’s work in the country.
Security will determine UN's involvement in Iraq, says official
A top UN humanitarian official has told the Iraq donors’ conference in Madrid that security is “the single most important factor” shaping the world body’s work in the country.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Very windy with persistent and occasionally heavy rain at first, becoming drier with the wind easing towards midday. Mainly dry with bright spells increasing during the afternoon. Milder than of late. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with clear spells, mainly dry evening becoming windy with rain at times from late evening. Turning drier with clear spells towards morning. Milder than of late. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
