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Iraqi political leaders concur on need to 'Iraqi-ize' political process - UN envoy

Iraqi political leaders concur on need to 'Iraqi-ize' political process - UN envoy

Sergio Vieira de Mello speaking to reporters
United Nations envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello, well into the second week of meetings with a full spectrum of Iraqi political leaders, said today he was discovering by the day a convergence of views on the need for the "Iraqi-ization" of the process of moving the country forward.

Asked if he saw common ground emerging from his various meetings, Mr. Vieira de Mello, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative, told reporters there was agreement on the need to move swiftly to new transitional institutions that will embody Iraqi sovereignty in this phase leading to the elaboration and adoption of a new constitution and democratic elections.

Earlier today, Mr. Vieira de Mello met with Jalal Talabani, the Iraqi Kurdish leader and head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, who told him he believed the UN should play an important role in the current transitional phase. This would include providing advice and assistance in matters such as the constitutional and electoral processes, financial, monetary and budgetary matters, and the longer-term construction of democratic institutions in Iraq.

The UN envoy underlined the importance of promoting and protecting the human rights of all Iraqis, and of assuring an equal place for Iraqi women in all walks of life.

On the humanitarian front, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said it was deeply concerned by the lack of security prevailing in most parts of Iraq as it strives with its partners to get all children back to school. Insecurity continued to keep attendance levels, particularly of girls, at unacceptably low levels, with rates estimated at 60 per cent, still far below pre-war levels.

In the immediate future, UNICEF said ensuring the organization of final exams across the country, due to start on 21 June, was a daunting challenge. Precautionary security measures are being planned along with related educational and logistics issues. Parents need to be reassured that their children will be safe while taking their exams.

UNICEF, the Ministry of Education and a representative of the police have reviewed safety issues such as costs for transport of exams, student IDs, communication, and extra police escorts. The agency has also funded the printing of 15 million exam booklets and some of the booklets are already being delivered to the governorates.