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Posted on 11/05/2004 8:52:05 AM PST by 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.
Nice try, Coffee.
Unleash the dogs.
that new military campaigns in Fallujah and other insurgent strongholds could jeopardize upcoming elections
We really need a way to Freep the UN and tell them to STFU while they still have a home.
When will we find out how much he was paid to try to protect the terrorists?
Whatever the U.N. says, do the opposite. It almost guarantees success.
Donald Rumsfeld for UN Secretarial General.
What does this man think he is saying? If we do NOT clean out the terrorist strong holds what does he think will happen? MORE attacks. Cleaning out fallujah is step one.
As usual, he's got it backwards. Dealing with Fallujah will make the Iraqi elections easier to undertake.
That reminds me, Kofi is another looser in this election, along with the U.N. Let's Roll
Ah,....the EXPOSING of WMD eh?
I wish the City of New York would post and eviction notice on the door of the UN HQ.
Once again, Anan has it bass-ackwards. NOT cleaning out Fallujah is the thing that will jeopardize upcoming elections.
UN = Irrelevant, as usual.
I think I messed up his server by posting this in another post. Well worth the time to try until you get through!
http://adventuresofchester.blogspot.com/
Technically they own the building, we gave it to them. We however own the airspace around it...be fun to watch them try to get to their little building with the military chasing after their coattails.
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Annan urged the coalition to give more time for dialogue to succeed and offered U.N. help. <<<<
Like the UN helped with Saddam, I guess?
This war belongs to Iraqs NEW governing body and those members of a willing coalition - it is theirs to WIN.
If Annan sticks his terrorist-loving nose in to falluja, defeat would be ensured.
We need to be OUT of the UN!
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