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.
Hey, Coffee! If we would only do it your way, we would have resolutions all the way from 1441 to 4114 before it was all over. Of course the UN, and your son, would be much richer from OilforFood, too so that is really your interest.
Get out of the way and see how peace is done son. You've no clue.
YEah Koffi... like the UN's lack of activity in the region has helped those elections along....
Before we bail, lets see if we can leverage Japan into a voting seat on the Security Council. One last good run before we shut down the airspace and cut the power and gas 8)
Sit on it, Kofi.
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