U.N. Warns of Fallujah Attack Consequences

Yahoo ^ | NICK WADHAMS, Associated Press Writer

[Michael Goldsberry]

UNITED NATIONS - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (news - web sites) warned U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq (news - web sites) that new military campaigns in Fallujah and other insurgent strongholds could jeopardize upcoming elections, according to a letter obtained Friday.

In the letter dated Oct. 31, Annan told American, British and Iraqi leaders that the United Nations (news - web sites) wants to help prepare for the elections, scheduled for the end of January, but fears a rise in violence could disrupt the process.

"I have in mind not only the risk of increased insurgent violence, but also reports of major military offensives being planned by the multinational force in key localities such as Fallujah," Annan wrote in the letter, obtained by The Associated Press.

U.S. jets have launched multiple airstrikes against insurgent positions in Fallujah and U.S. soldiers blocked roads leading to the city in preparation for a planned assault to put Fallujah and other insurgent bastions north and west of Baghdad under control of Iraq's interim government.

After meeting with European leaders at a European Union (news - web sites) summit in Brussels, Iraq's interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said Friday the window for a peaceful settlement of the standoff over Fallujah was closing fast. A Fallujah offensive would involve a combination of U.S. and Iraqi forces.

Annan warned that major military assaults, "in which the main burden seems bound to be borne by American forces," may discourage Iraqis from participating in the vote.

Annan urged the coalition to give more time for dialogue to succeed and offered U.N. help.

"I, and all my colleagues at the United Nations Secretariat, want to help," Annan wrote. "But we need a conducive environment if elections are to produce a positive effect."

Given that Allawi's latest comments came a week after Annan's letter was sent, it appeared that Iraqi and American leaders were not seriously considering the offer.

[Publius6961]

Donald Rumsfeld for UN Secretarial General.

S-a-a-a-a-a-a-y...!
What a wonderful idea! Except I would prefer Ambassador to the U.N. More realistic and visible position. I remember fondly both Adlai Stevenson and Patrick Moynihan in that position. They did themselves proud. Rumsfeld is of the same caliber, without question.

Go get 'em Donald!

[monkeywrench]

Here's their website of "Alphabetic Index of Websites of the United Nations System of Organizations" with e-mail addies.

http://www.unsystem.org/

[RGSpincich]

Yob' tvoyu mat', pizhda!

What do I need here, Babblefish or my resident Ebonics expert?

[Just mythoughts]

Kofi go suck rotten eggs, then go comfort JFKerry he really tried to submit US to you.

[OhMike]

THAT sounds like a plan. Nothing the UN wants is in our favor. Fallujah needs some wood.

[appalachian_dweller]

>> Annan warned... <<

ROTFLMAO!!!

Me thinks koffi thinks skerry won the election.

Hey koffi, get out of the way or we'll kick your sorry @ss too.

Man, I'm loving this!

[NeonKnight]

Hey Kofi, stop interfering with internal Iraqi affairs. This does not concern you.

[FreedomNeocon]

UN = USELESS
ANNAN = LESS THAN USELESS

Hey Kofi... you douchbag... why don't you and your IRRELVANT BUDDIES go: Write another letter threatening to meet and a talk about possible temporary sanctions if someone doesn't do what you want in the next few years or so... ... 'cause THATS what gets people to act. (BIG-TIME-ROLL-EYES)

[the Real fifi]

Bassackwards again, Kofi..

[Poohbah]

What do I need here, Babblefish or my resident Ebonics expert?

Someone who speaks Russian...

[proud American in Canada]

"Annan urged the coalition to give more time for dialogue."

What the terrorists need is more time to re-connect with their inner child. /sarcasm

[texasflower]

Seems to me that once we level Fallujah, the elections will be much safer.

So will the rest of Iraq.

[markman46]

http://www.un.org/comments.html here might do some good or not.

[A. Patriot]

Oh No!!, Coffee might write a stern letter to GWB.

[SunkenCiv]

Fallujah Defenders Vow To Use Chem Weapons
Bellaciao ^ | 2nd November 2004 | Hala Jaber in Baghdad
Posted on 11/05/2004 8:34:19 AM PST by demlosers
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1271717/posts

[tet68]

It's just too bad one of Atta's planes didn't hit the
UN, it'd be a different song coming out of Kofi now.

Yo, Kofi, a suitcase nuke in New York will toast your
butt along with everyone elses.

[FreedomNeocon]

Iraq PM pledges to 'liberate' Falluja
November 5th, 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3985493.stm

US marines have been taking part in intensive drills Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has vowed to "liberate" Falluja amid growing expectation that a major assault is imminent.

US troops have closed all roads in and out of the rebel-held city and Iraqi troops have taken up position nearby.

The BBC's Paul Wood, with US marines, says a substantial ground force is entering the outskirts of the city.

Previous assaults on the city have left large numbers of civilians dead and most of the city's population has fled.

Our correspondent, who is working under US military censorship, says it is not clear whether the Iraqi leader has given the final order to begin the assault.

"We intend to liberate the people and bring the rule of law"

US and Iraqi officials are aiming to flush out insurgents ahead of elections in January.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has warned Iraq, the US and UK that an assault on Falluja could alienate ordinary Iraqis and disrupt the planned elections,

The BBC's Susannah Price at the UN says US officials were outraged by Mr Annan's letter, which highlights the divisions over the way to achieve peace in Iraq.

Mr Allawi said the letter, which he received a few days ago, was "very unclear". He said Mr Annan did not present a plan as to what to do, nor was it clear what the UN could do to stop insurgents attacking.

Military preparations
Speaking in Brussels earlier on Friday, Mr Allawi said the window was closing for a peaceful settlement in Falluja.

He has repeatedly threatened an all-out assault on the city if residents do not turn in Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who is thought to be based there.

Zarqawi's al-Qaeda-linked group has captured and killed hostages and is blamed for a string of suicide bombings.

"We intend to liberate the people and bring the rule of law," Mr Allawi told a news conference at a European Union summit.

"The Falluja people, most of them, have left. The insurgents and the terrorists are still operating there.

"We hope they will come to their senses, otherwise we will have to bring them to face justice."

Weeks of air strikes
US military said it had carried out five air strikes within seven hours on Friday, destroying a command post, arms caches and rebel positions, Reuters reports.

The US has carried out weeks of "precision strikes" aimed at targeting Zarqawi's fighters and other militant groups.

US and Iraqi officials say there are several thousand fighters holed up in the city, 50km (30 miles) west of Baghdad.

The Iraqi authorities say the fighters are highly organised and led by former army officers from Saddam Hussein's army.

The combat hospital at the main US base near Falluja has set up a morgue and doubled medical staff and supplies in preparation for an expected stream of casualties, AP reports.

The US military has been warning residents of Falluja through loudspeakers and leaflets to leave the city. It estimates that out of a population of 300,000, fewer than 60,000 people remain.

In other developments:
One US soldier is killed and five wounded when rebels fire at their base on the outskirts of Falluja on Friday, the US military says

Iraqi Vice-President Ibrahim al-Jaafari says the election date has been set for 27 January. Mr Allawi later tells reporters in Brussels that no date has been set, although elections will take place by the end of January

Two children are killed in Muqdadiya, north-east of Baghdad, when a mortar shell intended for a nearby police station hits their home

Three hostages, two from Lebanon and one from Nepal, are released.

[RS]

Guess we didn't pass the "Global Test" again ....

[oldbrowser]

Annan warned that major military assaults, "in which the main burden seems bound to be borne by American forces," may discourage Iraqis from participating in the vote

Annan, ChIraq, Iran, Germany, etc., I am starting to suspect
a huge anti-American conspiracy