Annan says Iraq needs more than a military solution

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says the observance of basic human rights in Iraq has improved, but he notes that the insurgency in Iraq cannot be solved solely by military action and also needs a political response from a more inclusive governing body.

In his latest report to the UN Security Council on Iraq, released today, Mr. Annan says, “I recognize that in many areas, including the advancement of basic human rights, such as freedom of speech and of political assembly, as well as the provision of basic services and the reconstitution of the local police, very real progress has been made in Iraq in the past few months.”

He adds, however “At the same time, the dangers posed by insurgents, whose attacks have been growing in sophistication and strength over the past months, are real.“

Security could be tightened for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), now based mainly in Cyprus, he says, but that would be time-consuming and very costly to do.

Briefing reporters in New York on the report, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Sir Kieran Prendergast said it was plain many Iraqis felt ambivalent about the UN because of past history, and that should be taken into account in future decision about the UN's role in the country.

Meanwhile, Mr. Annan recommends steps to be taken to reduce the possibility that the insurgency will increase over time.

“First and foremost, we need to act on the recognition that the mounting insecurity problem cannot be solved through military means alone,” he says. “A political solution is required.”

Even when provoked, “intensified efforts by Coalition forces to demonstrate that they are adhering strictly to international humanitarian law and human rights instruments … would make it that much more difficult for the insurgents to rally support for their cause.”

The use of lethal force by the US-led Coalition forces responding to threats, demonstrations and confrontations “should, in accordance with international humanitarian law, be proportionate and discriminating,” he adds.

The political solution requires including more of the Iraqi groups which have so far been excluded, or “have excluded themselves” from the interim governing process. The country needs a national agenda seen as truly representative of all segments of Iraqi society and requiring national reconciliation, Mr. Annan says.

“The politics of national unity, not of revenge and collective punishment, is what is required,” he says.

Iraqi institutions need to function effectively and transparently, making it clear that the foreign occupation is to be short-lived, he says. The 15 November agreement giving a timetable for the formation of a sovereign Iraqi Government and the dissolution of the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority was a step in the right direction.

If the Iraqis requested help, the UN could provide “its expertise on the constitutional and electoral processes envisaged to take place in the latter half of 2004 and throughout 2005,” he says. It would need to know, however, how substantive a role it might be asked to play in relation to the evident security risks.

With regard to the formation of a transitional national assembly by 31 May 2004, in particular, “it would be important to have clarity both as regards what might be expected of us and about respective new responsibilities,” he said.

If the request for help were made, a UN needs assessment mission would have to visit Iraq and recommend assistance, “based on the conditions of the requesting country.”