Doesn't this socialist sock-puppet have some dirty oil funds to count or something?
Posted on 04/28/2004 11:44:36 AM PDT by kattracks
UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned Wednesday that military action in Iraq is feeding the ranks of the resistance and urged U.S. authorities to do everything possible to seek a peaceful solution in the cities of Fallujah and Najaf.As explosions and gunfire rocked Fallujah and U.S. troops began expanding operations out of their base in the holy city of Najaf, Annan called for negotiations on the ground and a concerted international effort to stabilize Iraq.
"Violent military action by an occupying power against inhabitants of an occupied country will only make matters worse," he said. "It's definitely time, time now for those who prefer restraint and dialogue to make their voices heard."
The assault against Fallujah began after American troops killed 64 gunmen near the southern city of Najaf.
Annan said he relayed an appeal from the community in Fallujah for the United Nations to intervene -- which he said was impossible because of the lack of security -- and spoken to U.S. authorities about "the need for caution, the need to do all that is possible to avoid a violent confrontation.
"The reason why I asked for caution is the more the occupation is seen as taking steps that harm the civilians and the population, the greater the ranks of the resistance grows," Annan said.
"I think everybody has said the struggle really should have been to win the hearts and minds of the people, and so it has to be an effort in that direction as well.
"It's a difficult situation. I'm not pretending it's very easy to do it, but I think one has to be very careful not to get it much worse."
Annan expressed serious concern about the wider impact of any fighting in Najaf, a holy city for Shiite Muslims where radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr reportedly is holed up. U.S. troops want to capture al-Sadr for his alleged involvement in the murder of a cleric and then suppress his militia.
"There had been also talks going on in Najaf which we had hoped would work out, and of course our concern (is) that any assault on Najaf will have really unimaginable consequences and could complicate very much the efforts that we are trying to make in ... working with the Iraqis to establish an interim government," Annan said.
The secretary-general spoke to reporters a day after his special envoy to Iraq, Lakhdar Brahimi, told the Security Council that Iraq's caretaker government must be chosen by May 31 so it can properly prepare to take power June 30 and reach a new agreement with U.S.-led multinational forces that will remain in control of security.
Annan said there also is a need to work out "coordinating mechanisms" between the United Nations and the new government, and the United Nations and the multinational force, "and it's not going to be easy."
Brahimi told the Security Council that many obstacles to the handover remain, but it can be accomplished even in the face of weeks of deadly violence.
The caretaker government will remain in power until national elections are held by Jan. 31, but Annan stressed that "security affects everything" and elections need "a calm environment."
If I saw him on the street, or in one of kerry's "Restaurants of World Leaders" in NYC I'd bitch slap him.
FMCDH
Second that motion!
Drop dead Kofi...
You should stop walking on eggshells and tell us how you really feel...
Doesn't Kofi Annan have a deeper meaning in the discreet dialect??... Hmmm maybe village idiot
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