Security Council OKs expanded Iraq role
Harry Dope
By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 34 minutes ago
UNITED NATIONS - The Security Council voted Friday to expand the United
Nations' role in Iraq in a move aimed at promoting talks among ethnic and
religious rivals and winning support from the country's neighbors.
The resolution, approved unanimously, authorizes the U.N., at the request of
the Iraqi government, to promote political talks among Iraqis and a regional
dialogue on issues including border security, energy and refugees.
The United Nations pulled out of Iraq in October 2003 after two bombings at
U.N. headquarters in Baghdad and a spate of attacks on humanitarian workers.
The first bombing, on Aug. 19, 2003, killed the top U.N. envoy, Sergio
Vieira de Mello, and 21 others. The U.N. allowed 35 staffers to return in
August 2004, but the numbers remains small because of security concerns.
The United States and Britain, cosponsors of the resolution, believe the
world body, which is viewed by many as a more neutral party, can facilitate
talks among feuding parties.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said the resolution "marks an important new
phase in the U.N.'s role in Iraq," and expressed hope it will be "a
springboard to greater international support for Iraq's government and
people."
"This resolution underscores the widespread belief that what happens in Iraq
has strategic implications not only for the region but for the entire
world," he said.
Khalilzad said the resolution expands the U.N.'s involvement in Iraq in
three ways: by providing assistance and expertise to the Iraqi people and
government on domestic reconciliation leading to a national compact, by
promoting regional understanding that supports Iraqi reconciliation, and by
marshaling resources to help Iraqis affected by the humanitarian crisis.
"We are indeed grateful for expanding the U.N.'s role to help the Iraqi
people shape their future," Khalilzad said. "However, let me be clear, the
United States will continue to shoulder all of its responsibility to assist
Iraq's government and people. We are fully dedicated to success in Iraq."
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the council's decision to renew
the U.N. mandate for a year and strengthen its mission.
"The United Nations is deeply committed to helping the people of Iraq and
I'm pleased to have the opportunity now to enhance, where possible, our
contributions in crucial areas such as national reconciliation, regional
dialogue, humanitarian assistance and human rights," Ban told the council.
In a letter to the council, Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said
"Iraq's interests" require an expansion of the U.N. role "on both the
humanitarian and the political tracks, domestically and regionally."
This is essential, he said, "particularly in respect to facilitating the
return to Iraq of U.N. specialized agencies, funds and programs ... to
rebuild and stabilize Iraq ... and to begin a comprehensive effort to
reverse the deterioration of Iraq's infrastructure."
The U.N. mission has helped organize elections, draft Iraq's constitution
and develop institutions for representative government.
The resolution authorizes it to "advise, support and assist the government
and people of Iraq on advancing their inclusive, political dialogue and
national reconciliation."
It also authorizes the U.N. to facilitate "regional dialogue, including on
issues of border security, energy and refugees." It asks the U.N. to help
develop ways "to resolve disputed internal boundaries" that are acceptable
to the government.
The initial text was revised to focus more on human rights, humanitarian
issues, protecting civilians, and promoting the safety of humanitarian
personnel.
Amnesty International's Secretary General Irene Khan had complained that the
original text was completely "silent on the gross human rights abuses taking
place on a daily basis in Iraq, and on the deepening humanitarian crisis in
the country," a view echoed by other rights groups.
Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynne Pascoe said Tuesday
the United Nations expects to raise the ceiling for international staff in
Iraq from 65 to 95 by October. Hours later, however, the U.N. Staff Council
called on the secretary-general to pull all U.N. personnel out of the
country until security improves.
Pascoe stressed that there are two constraints to an expanded U.N. role:
Iraqi political leaders must decide what they want the U.N. to do, and
security conditions must be sufficient for U.N. staffers to work.
Khalilzad pledged that the United States would "do our part to help the U.N.
with security, with logistics."
--
What we find is that the surge has troops going into areas, where for 4 1/2
years we have not seen our military in action. Naturally, they are routing
out al Qaeda in those areas. That's a good thing.
-- Sen. Dick Durbin