Iraq: Annan seeks mid-January meeting with coalition, Governing Council

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said he hopes to meet next month with members of Iraq's Governing Council as well as the coalition to elucidate the future role of the United Nations in the country.

Responding to questions during his annual year-end press conference, the Secretary-General said he had suggested that the meeting be held around 15 January. "I hope we'll be able to sit to clarify what assistance and what role the UN can play and what they expect of us," he said.

"It has to be a three-way conversation and clarification" among the Governing Council, the coalition and the UN, he emphasized. "Once we have that, I will make a judgment whether we can take on that role and if so, how and where and under what circumstances."

Asked if he had received confirmation from the other participants about their attendance, he said members of the Governing Council would attend. "With regards to the coalition, we've just started preliminary consultations," he added. "We haven't agreed on dates yet and who will be here, but I hope it can be resolved because it's in everyone's interest that we sit down together and clarify rather than make statements to each other through the press."

Responding to another question, Mr. Annan confirmed that the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari, had invited him to the country, and did not exclude the possibility of a visit in the near future. "I haven't been to the region in some time and I think in my discussions with leaders and foreign ministers from the region we've all agreed that it would be time for me to go back to the region," he said, adding that he had not yet decided whether to visit Iraq during that trip.

Stressing the urgency of handing over power to Iraq, he said that there was not enough time between now and next June to organize fair and credible elections given the situation on the ground. The alternative put forward, of selection and caucusing, must be inclusive and transparent, and seen as fair by the Iraqis. "If that is done, the outcome will be accepted, it will be credible in Iraq, in the region and beyond," he said. "I considered it a viable alternative, but it has to be handled carefully."

The UN, he said, will return to Iraq when the environment is sufficiently secure. "That does not mean we've ruled out going to Iraq during the occupation," he said, while pointing out that the Organization continues its involvement in the country, including through its presence on the ground.

Mr. Annan said there were two phases to be considered: the stage between now and the end of June, when the coalition plans to establish a provisional government, and the period after that. "When the provisional government is established and they seek our support in the constitutional process, the electoral process, including registration and assistance with the elections, that [will be] much more straightforward and clear," he said, adding that the UN would continue its work in other areas, including reconstruction and human rights.

Video of the press conference [42:26]mins