Last update - 00:00 11/08/2007
Security Council unanimously okays expansion of UN role in Iraq
By The Associated Press
The United Nations Security Council unanimously approved a resolution Friday expanding the UN's role in Iraq, in a move aimed at reconciling the country's rival groups, winning support from neighboring countries and tackling Iraq's humanitarian crisis.
The resolution authorizes the UN, at the request of the Iraqi government, to help promote political talks among the country's ethnic and religious groups and a regional dialogue on issues including border security, energy and refugees.
The United States and Britain, co-sponsors of the resolution, believe the organization should be a more important player in trying to bring peace to Iraq because it is viewed by many as a more neutral party that can act as a facilitator of talks among feuding parties.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad said adoption of the resolution marks an important new phase in the UN'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 UN'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 UN'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..."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon welcomed the council's decision to renew the UN 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.
"A peaceful and prosperous future is for Iraqis themselves to create with the international community lending support to their efforts. The United Nations looks forward to working in close partnership with the leaders and people of Iraq to explore how we can further our assistance under the terms of this resolution," he said.
In a letter to the council, Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Iraq's interests require an expansion of the UN 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 UN 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 UN mission has helped organize elections, draft Iraq's constitution and develop institutions for representative government. But it its day-to-day operations have been severely restricted because of security concerns and attacks on its Baghdad headquarters.
The resolution authorizes the mission to advise, support and assist the government and people of Iraq on advancing their inclusive, political dialogue and national reconciliation.
It also authorizes the UN to facilitate regional dialogue, including on issues of border security, energy and refugees. It asks the UN to help develop ways to resolve disputed internal boundaries that are acceptable to the government.
The initial text was revised to put more focus 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 UN Staff Council called on the secretary-general to pull all UN personnel out of the country until security improves.
Pascoe stressed that there are two constraints to an expanded UN role: Iraqi political leaders must decide what they want the UN to do, and security conditions must be sufficient for UN staffers to work, an issue the UN watches daily.
Security for UN staff is a very sensitive issue.
Former Secretary-General Kofi Annan pulled all UN international staff out of Iraq in October 2003 after two bombings at UN headquarters in Baghdad and a spate of attacks on humanitarian workers. The first bombing, on Aug. 19, 2003, killed the top UN envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and 21 others. Annan allowed 35 UN international staffers to return in August 2004, but the UN presence has remained small because of security threats.
Khalilzad pledged that the United States would do our part to help the UN with security, with logistics.