Security Council OKs expanded Iraq role 36 minutes ago

Security Council OKs expanded Iraq role 36 minutes ago



UNITED NATIONS - The Security Council unanimously approved a resolution Friday expanding the United Nations' 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.

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The resolution authorizes the U.N., at the request of the Iraqi government, to 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, who have the largest military forces in Iraq and cosponsored the resolution, believe the U.N. should play a greater part there because the world body is viewed by many as a more neutral party that can facilitate talks among feuding parties.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said a resolution that would expand the U.N. mandate in Iraq will internationalize the effort to assist Iraqis in overcoming their internal differences and bringing neighboring countries together to help the country.

"This is not a substitute for what the United States is doing," he told The Associated Press on the eve of Friday's vote on the resolution, which is co-sponsored by the U.S. and Britain.

Britain's U.N. Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry said he expected the resolution to be unanimously approved.

The sponsors delayed a vote so that Iraq's prime minister could revise the text, which would authorize the world body to help the government promote national reconciliation, better relations with its neighbors and deal with humanitarian concerns.

Khalilzad said he was informed Thursday that the Iraqis are now satisfied with the resolution. Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari sent a letter asking that the mandate of the U.N. mission, which expires Friday, be extended for a year — a requirement before the resolution can be adopted.

In the letter, 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 draft resolution would authorize it to "advise, support and assist the government and people of Iraq on advancing their inclusive, political dialogue and national reconciliation."

It also would authorize 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 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.

In the final draft, the Iraqi government inserted language underscoring its sovereignty and added a call for "adequate resources" to address humanitarian issues.

Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador, stressed that the resolution will not replace U.S. activities and said "this is adding to, and integrating our effort, as part of the broader international effort to assist Iraq."

"It is a recognition by the international community that what happens in Iraq affects the future of the world and ... it can contribute to helping Iraqis in this very difficult transition that they are in," Khalilzad said.

Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynne Pascoe said Tuesday the new mandate being considered by the council would enable the U.N. to work on issues "that clearly need to be done out there" — especially national reconciliation, humanitarian assistance and dealing with the millions of Iraqis who have fled their homes.

He said the United Nations expects to raise the ceiling for international staff in Iraq from 65 to 95 by October. Hours later, the U.N. Staff Council called on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon 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, an issue the U.N. watches daily.

Security for U.N. staff is a very sensitive issue.

Former Secretary-General Kofi Annan pulled all U.N. international staff 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. Annan allowed 35 U.N. international staffers to return in August 2004, but the U.N. presence has remained small because of security threats.

Khalilzad said that "you cannot allow concerns about security to prevent the institution that can help Iraqis overcome this challenge from doing so.

"At the same time, one has to do everything that one can to minimize, to mitigate the dangers that exist," he said. "I understand the concerns of the U.N. staff. With this new mandate, we are prepared to do our part to help the U.N. with security, with logistics."