Annan warns on Iraqis' civil liberties

Bakersfield Californian ^ | 3/10/05 | Nick Wadhams - AP

[NormsRevenge]

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - With violence in Iraq returning to pre-election levels, the U.N. secretary-general warned the Iraqi leadership and American military Thursday to take care not to step on the civil liberties of an increasingly frustrated population while fighting to crush the revitalized insurgency.

Kofi Annan also said in his report that the scale and sophistication of insurgent attacks were increasing, worrying signs as Iraq's new leaders prepare to take power. Earlier Thursday, a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque killed at least 47 people, and on Feb. 28, a suicide car bomber killed 125 people, mostly Shiite police and National Guard recruits.

Iraqis will expect security and living conditions to improve now that their elections are complete, but the government and multinational forces must tread carefully, Annan said.

"Particular care should be taken by those responsible for ensuring security to see that their actions do not adversely affect the civilian population," Annan wrote in the report.

The rise in violence is troubling because many Iraqis and outsiders had expressed hope that the country's landmark Jan. 30 election would help weaken the insurgency and were encouraged by the lull afterward.

Annan's report reviewed U.N. actions during the past three months. It praised the peaceful nature of Iraq's election, saying the vote offered a new opportunity for Iraqis to build a democratic country.

The next step for Iraqis will be crafting a constitution. Annan said his special representative, Ashraf Qazi, was meeting with Iraqis as they begin that process.

Soon after the report was released Thursday, Iraq's main Shiite party and a Kurdish bloc said they reached a deal that sets the stage for a new government to be formed.

The deal between the clergy-backed United Iraqi Alliance and a Kurdish coalition will allow a new government to be named when the 275-member National Assembly convenes next week.

Annan warned of the possibility of still more strife between minority Sunnis and majority Shiites, saying it was crucial to seek reconciliation now rather than let simmering unrest boil over into a wider conflict.

[NormsRevenge]

Eat kaka , ya corrupt UN moronocRat...

[NCjim]

Who pulled his chain?

[paudio]

Was there any during his friend's, Mr. Hussein reign?

[MJY1288]

Annan should simply STFU, he has been a hindrance to this effort from day one, and the last we need is advice or warnings from his sorry ass. The Iraqi Army in it's present state could wipe out all the Blue Helmets he could muster in an afternoon

[numberonepal]

Couldn't they just make recordings for what Coffee Can is going to say? It's so predictable that he is unnecessary.

[Norman Bates]

If he's so worried, why doesn't he send some UN peacekeepers in there?

[sheana]

They are too busy raping children.

[usgator]

Koffi has to do something, President Bush is PROVING that his policies will work.  All the UN's resolutions, warnings and hand-holding policies failed!  Can anyone name an instance where the UN has succeeded?  Not without American forces.

[stylin_geek]

I would post what I really think, but it would probably get me banned. I actually think Annan is worse than Clinton, if that is possible.

[PzLdr]

Too bad Kofi never found the time to tell that to the Serbs, Hutus - or his Peacekeeper Rape teams.

[DoughtyOne]

And our public leaders tollerate this guy. Enough said.

[Fiddlstix]

[hineybona]

When will people have enough of this complete moron /? The UN is TOTALLY useless. He needs to shut the hell up>>>>>>>>>>>

[smoothsailing]

[MJY1288]

Kofi Annan and his refusal to enforce the Resolutions the Security Counsel issues is why Tyrants like Saddam Hussein were able to exist. The thought that an Ambassador of Robert Mugabe could chair the Human Rights Committee is prime example of why the U.N. should be dissolved. Just what the hell do we need them for??? A platform for Tyrants and Dictators to speak from is all I can figure.

The U.N. today makes Neville Chamberlain look like Winston Churchill by comparison

[ken21]

goofy annan's got nerve opening his mouth after his son stole money from iraq.

[armymarinemom]

It's nice to know that he is so worried that he refuses to send UN troops to the area. The Iraqi people have suffered enough from the Mullahs. Meanwhile he just flaps his jaws in order to appear relevant.

[delacoert]

a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque

Muslims blowing up mosques, is it open season now? What's the bag limit? /sarcasm

[McGavin999]

Will somebody stuff a sock in that A$$holes mouth?