Annan expresses doubt about U.N. return to Iraq

REUTERS ^ | 04/13/04 | Irwin Arieff

[Pikamax]

Annan expresses doubt about U.N. return to Iraq By Irwin Arieff

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday violence in Iraq will prevent the world body from re-establishing a major presence in the country anytime in the foreseeable future.

Annan told reporters that even the small team now in the country, led by top U.N. official Lakhdar Brahimi, has been hampered in advising Iraqis on forming an interim government and plan for elections early next year.

"Of course given the deteriorating situation and the violence on the ground, even that task has been rather difficult," Annan said.

"For the foreseeable future, insecurity is going to be a major constraint for us. And so I cannot say right now that I am going to be sending in a large U.N. team," Annan said.

The United Nations withdrew its permanent foreign staff last October following attacks on aid organizations and the August bombing of its own headquarters that killed 22 people.

Asked whether, in light of the current turmoil, the handover of power should still occur by June 30, Annan said there was little choice. "The date has been out there for some time. It has been embraced by the Iraqis themselves, who are anxious to see the end of occupation as soon as possible, and I believe it is going to be difficult to pull it back," he said.

"That having been said, I hope we are going to be able to bring down the violence and control the situation between now and then because the kind of violence we are seeing on the ground is not conducive for that sort of political process and transition," Annan added.

He also raised doubts about whether proper elections could still be held for a permanent government by January 2005, saying it was difficult to predict because preparations would require eight months once a legal framework was in place.

"I am not in a position to confirm to you or to ascertain whether the legal framework is in place or not, and therefore it is difficult for me to say the January date is still a viable one," Annan said.

The secretary-general was asked about reports that U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte was being considered as Washington's new ambassador to Iraq after the handover on June 30.

"I've heard the rumors -- I don't know if there is anything to it -- that Ambassador Negroponte is going to be heading for Baghdad. He is an outstanding professional, a great diplomat and a wonderful ambassador here," Annan said.

Negroponte, backed by Secretary of State Colin Powell, is emerging as the leading candidate for the key post that the White House may fill later this week.

[Rutles4Ever]

Yes, now that the oil-for-fraud scandal means no more money for Kofi, Jr, why bother?

[Lunatic Fringe]

[Dr. Frank fan]

What's pathetic is that it's the entire plan of one of the two major-party candidates for President, to get the UN to go to Iraq. An idea which, as the very head of that organization is explaining here, amounts to nothing short of a complete and total pipe-dream.

[Maceman]

Annan expresses doubt about U.N. return to Iraq

Even if President John Kerry says "Pretty Effin' Please?"

[Shermy]

Asked whether, in light of the current turmoil, the handover of power should still occur by June 30, Annan said there was little choice. "The date has been out there for some time. It has been embraced by the Iraqis themselves, who are anxious to see the end of occupation as soon as possible, and I believe it is going to be difficult to pull it back," he said.

Kofi miles ahead of 9/10 Kerry.

A year ago, the UN involvement debate was really about continuing the Oil for Food program, control of reconstruction money, and confirmation of Saddam's oil rights contracts with Russia and France. Today Kofi is realistic where things are headed. Kerry's moronic foreign policy team are a year behind and blind to what "UN involvement" would actually cost.

[crushkerry]

Well John Kerry's grand plan has been blown to hell in 1 day. What did he expect from these cowards. Any rumor that "Sir Robin Ran Away" was playing in the background during Kofi's announcment?

[Paleo Conservative]

Annan expresses doubt about U.N. return to Iraq

So do I. Iraq is better off with the US directing its reconstruction.

[BlessedByLiberty]

Translation: Kofi afraid he and the UN graft society will be indicted by the Iraqi people for abetting Hussein's war crimes.

Quick: ABCBSMSNBCetc ask John Fight-or-Flight Kerry what he thinks of this news.

[RockyMtnMan]

Frankly, I've come to the conclusion that the people of Iraq have shown themselves to be incapable of governing themselves. If they were unwilling to rise against their leadership in the past. What makes anyone think they will be capable of governing themselves in the future?

Maybe I'm missing some critical news that tells me they are truly on the road to self governance instead of perpetual anarchy. They must be led by a stiff hand until they are mature enough to be given the freedoms we take for granted. The UN is definately not the stiff hand they need, the question is, how long can we be there for them and will that last past the next presidency.

[Diogenesis]

Our leader, Abu Annan, says you dhimmis must make money continue to flow to Kofi's own son, Tojo Annan.
SO why don't all you dhimmis just do it, and then give up and surrender NOW,
like the spineless and cowardly French and Spanish already have."

---

THE ANNAN FAMILY's WAR FOR OIL - the U.N. Oil company hired Kofi Annan's son, Tojo, who profited from Saddam's treachery and murder."

---

[BillyCrockett]

"Frankly, I've come to the conclusion that the people of Iraq have shown themselves to be incapable of governing themselves. If they were unwilling to rise against their leadership in the past. What makes anyone think they will be capable of governing themselves in the future?"

We all have to remember, when thinking that all Iraqis can't govern themselves (because they're having trouble now), they remember well what happened in 1991 when we told them to rise up and fight Saddam... then we pulled out and left them to be slaughtered in S Iraq. Give them time. They've got more than a few issues to deal with, that's for sure. I think things will be very different there in just a few more weeks of zapping Iranians and Syrians fighting alongside Saddam's old losers.

[aShepard]

...."violence in Iraq will prevent the world body from re-establishing a major presence in the country anytime" .....

.....I hope WE are going to be able to bring down the violence and control the situation.........

?????Who's WE, kemosabe????

[RockyMtnMan]

Very true, we did leave them high and dry the first time. I'd be a little gun shy too after that type of experience. I just find it hard to believe they haven't got enough confidence in us to grow a pair and start governing themselves.

If the Kurds weren't so reviled by the general populous I'd say give them control of the country. They have shown themselves to be honorable, hardworking, and trustworthy.