Security Council Votes to Expand U.N. Mission in Iraq

American Forces Press Service ^ | Donna Miles

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2007 – The United Nations will soon be playing a bigger political role in Iraq, after the Security Council unanimously voted to extend its mission there another year while expanding its mandate.

The Aug 10 vote on U.N. Resolution 1770 broadens the responsibilities of the U.N.’s four-year-old mission in Iraq. Under terms of the resolution, cosponsored by the United States, United Kingdom, Italy and Slovakia, the U.N. will now provide increased assistance to the Iraqi government on domestic reconciliation that leads to a national compact.

“Clearly, domestic reconciliation is the responsibility of the Iraqi people and the government, but the United Nations can lend specific expertise to help this process,” Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. ambassador to the U.N, said following the vote.

The U.N. will also promote regional understanding that supports Iraq’s reconciliation. “This updated mandate marks another important step along the road to increased support for Iraq from the region and the international community,” Khalilzad said.

In addition, the U.N. will marshal resources to assist Iraqis affected by the humanitarian crisis.

“In fulfilling the tasks set out in this resolution, U.N. staff in Iraq are making, have made and will make a vital contribution to Iraq’s future stability,” Khalilzad said.

He said the resolution marks “an important new phase in the U.N.’s role in Iraq” and a recognition that Iraq has far-reaching implications.

“This resolution underscores the widespread belief that what happens in Iraq has strategic implications, not only for the region, but for the entire world,” Khalilzad said.

He expressed hope that the resolution will serve as “a springboard to greater international support for Iraq’s government and people.”

The United States, as part of Multinational Force Iraq, will do its part “to ensure that the U.N.’s security and resource needs are met, so that the U.N.’s expertise can be fully deployed to help address the challenges in Iraq,” he said.

Biographies:
Zalmay Khalilzad

Related Sites:
U.N. News Release

Related Articles:
U.S. Urges Greater United Nations Role in Iraq

[SandRat]

On hearing the news local Iraqi's responded with: "RUN! RUN! The UN is coming!"

[jdsteel]

As clear a signal as any I;ve seen that we are finally achieving our objectives. Now the U.N. wants to come in and let the libs give it all of the credit.

[gondramB]

One thing the Cut and Run folks overlook - we have a U.N. mandate to provide Iraq with security and reconstruction. Generally they are the same folks who support the U.N.... go figure.

[Dog]

Yep....the corner has been turned..

[counterpunch]

Great, and just when the Surge was starting to work.  : (
Along comes the UN to screw it all up.

 

[Farmer Dean]

One bombing years ago and they ran out of the country like whipped dogs.Now it’s safe to come back to claim credit for all the progress.

[EQAndyBuzz]

I know everyone is just waiting to hear these words from the UN.

“We have found WMD’s in ANBAR province.” The Democrats were right about WMD being produced in Iraq. President Bush’s failed policies was the reason that the WMD were not found. We thank Hillary Clinton and her courageous acts for leading the inspectors to the right search area.”

[Southack]

The UN is coming back because Chiraq and DeVillepin are in the unemployment line instead of leading France’s support for Saddam Hussein.

Schroeder and Fischer are out of Germany. Martin is out of Canada’s leadership. Hussein is dead.

Any powerful political figure who opposed our war has been thrown out of Office.

...and every day that passes sees reduced audiences for mainstream journalism.

There is a lesson here that the Left has not yet learned.