U.N. Welcomes Iraq Back Into 'Family'

Associated Press via Yahoo ^ | June 28, 2004 | EDITH M. LEDERER

[NCjim]

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed Iraq "back into the family of independent and sovereign nations" Monday and called on all Iraqis to assist the new, interim government.

The U.N. Security Council also welcomed the handover of power and the official end of the American and British occupation and reaffirmed "the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq."

Annan's top adviser on Iraq, Lakhdar Brahimi, said the "former occupying powers" and the new government must now demonstrate to the Iraqi people that the 150,000 foreign troops in the country are there to support the government in maintaining security — and that they will be leaving.

"We are all keeping our fingers crossed," said Brahimi, who helped put together the new government.

[NCjim]

[tjwmason]

I will certainly say "Congratulations Iraq", but getting to close to the U.N. would be a very bad thing.

[Jagdgewehr]

Annan,...said in a statement issued by his office that the United Nations will "do everything possible, as circumstances permit, to help the Iraqi people"

Hollow words from the U.N.

[HamiltonJay]

Isn't this the same "FAMILY" that had UDAY on their Human Rights Commission? I'd be very wary of joining the Family Iraq.

[Yardstick]

Hollow words from the U.N.

His escape clause is the "as circumstances permit" part.

[NateLannister]

In other news, Annan announced the new Oil-for-Troops program, in which the U.N. will send support personnel to Iraq in exchange for more millions being funneled into the Swiss bank accounts of he and his son.

[anniegetyourgun]

The U.N. = dysfunctional family.

[KarlInOhio]

Annan ... said in a statement issued by his office that the United Nations will "do everything possible, as circumstances permit, to help the Iraqi people" in the difficult process of returning to normalcy.

Unfortunately is is neither possible nor do circumstances permit returning the money embezzled misplaced in the UN oil-for-food program.

[cake_crumb]

...And is already talking about sending more UN weapons inspctors in to inspect weapons and say they don't exist. Where's the Blood for Oil scam money Khofi?

[Cobra64]

Kofi won't DO anything for Iraq, but wants in so that he can steal more money. Sheesh!