SECRETARY-GENERAL ‘ENCOURAGED’ BY PROGRESS IN IRAQ

SECRETARY-GENERAL 'ENCOURAGED' BY PROGRESS IN IRAQ
New York, Jun 8 2009 4:00PM
The successful and mostly peaceful polls earlier this year and an agreement on a new Speaker of Parliament are among the "encouraging signs of progress" Iraq has witnessed in recent months, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon writes in a new <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/2009/284">report.

Following the January provincial elections, "we witnessed local democratic processes at work with the formation of political alliances to allow the selection of governors and their deputies in each of the 14 governorates that held elections," Mr. Ban says, expressing hope that "this will serve to promote greater accountability in local governance institutions."

Additionally, the Iraqi Security Forces continued to show they can assume stepped up security responsibilities, he notes.

"Those developments underscore a general positive trend in the country on both the political and security fronts," the report says.

However, it warns that many obstacles remain, with national reconciliation still the main priority for the country.

"In particular, the resolution of key issues, including federalism, the sharing of natural resources and disputed internal boundaries, could serve as a means to achieving lasting peace," the Secretary-General writes.

Progress on such complex issues will require Iraqi leaders uniting and adopting crucial constitutional and legislative measures in the political, electoral, economic and social realms, he adds.

In spite of the Iraqi Security Force's demonstration of their ability, Mr. Ban says, continued attacks against civilians are a reminder of ongoing security challenges.

"I urge all Iraqis not to succumb to the politics of mistrust, intimidation, fear or revenge, but rather to work together to build on the positive achievements made so far."

Also a source of concern is the rising tensions in areas such as Ninawa, Kirkuk and Diyala, the report says, calling on national and local leaders to work towards resolving underlying causes.

"Iraq's recovery is entering a new phase, with the Government leading the effort and shifting from a multi-donor trust fund to an emphasis on bilateral donor relations," it adds, noting that the UN will now focus on sustainable social and economic development.

"A healthy economy, jobs, services and a functioning government system are the benefits of good democratic governance," the Secretary-General writes.

The UN will expand its outreach in Iraq, while it is hoped that the Government and UN country team will have a "more intensive and policy-based interaction" as the security situation improves, he adds.
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NEWLY-ELECTED OFFICIALS MUST WORK CONSTRUCTIVELY FOR IRAQIS, BAN SAYS

NEWLY-ELECTED OFFICIALS MUST WORK CONSTRUCTIVELY FOR IRAQIS, BAN SAYS
New York, Feb 23 2009 3:00PM

Calling recent polls in Iraq "an important turning point" for the strife-torn country, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urges the newly-elected provincial officials to work together to improve the lives of Iraqis, in a report released today.

"I was delighted that millions of Iraqi people exercised their right to vote in an environment largely free of violence," Mr. Ban says in a report to the Security Council that outlines developments since 6 November 2008 and activities of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), and which follows his 6 February visit to the country.

"The onus is now on those who will take their seats in the governorate councils to engage in constructive political dialogue so that the benefits of the improved security situation can be turned into actions designed to deliver tangible benefits and essential services to the people of Iraq," he adds.

There was a 51 per cent turnout rate for the 31 January polls which took place in 6,471 polling centres across the country, and in which some 14,467 candidates vied for posts in 14 of 19 provincial, or governorate, councils.

During his visit to Baghdad, Mr. Ban writes, everyone he encountered strongly praised the role of UNAMI in providing logistic, strategic, and organizational support for what he called "well prepared elections."

In the coming months, he says, political attention is likely to shift towards disputed internal boundaries and the status of the city of Kirkuk, and he expects UNAMI to play a key role in helping the parties reach consensus on those as-yet unresolved issues.

The UN is also committed to supporting the Government to meet social and economic challenges as Iraqis increasingly look to both national and provincial institutions to provide the rewards of recovery, including jobs, clean water and streets, reliable electricity, better schools and adequate health care.

For those reasons, the Secretary-General welcomes the expansion of the UN presence since 2007, adding offices in Basrah, Kirkuk, Najaf, Ramada and Mosul, and he calls on Member States to continue supporting its efforts.

The Government decided to allocate $25 million towards the construction of a UNAMI integrated headquarters in Baghdad, he says, noting that a number of Iraqi leaders requested the mission and UN organizations to continue to increase their activities throughout the country.

However, Mr. Ban stresses that the November rocket attack which killed two staff members and injured 15 underscores the continuing threats to the Organization, asserting that: "It is for this reason that staff security must remain a priority."

The fact that threats of violence during most key political events were not realized can be interpreted as a sign that militia and insurgent leaders are losing influence, or that their capability and resources are being depleted, he says.

The discovery of new, large weapons caches demonstrates, however, that they intend to maintain some degree of military capability that could be unleashed in some point in time, the report adds.

In addition, Mr. Ban warns the new security agreement between the Governments of Iraq and the United States is being put in place and the gradual reduction of the multinational forces could begin to have an impact on the logistical and security resources available to support UN operations over the next six months.

For that reason, meetings were held with the Minister of Defence and US military officials to discuss UNAMI security in the Green Zone and the possibility of security provided by Iraqi defence forces.
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