Annan says he will make Iraq report public on Monday

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, currently in Japan on official travel, has announced plans to make public on Monday the report of a United Nations team which recently traveled to Iraq to explore the feasibility of elections.

“I have studied the team's report and recommendations, and I think the team has laid the groundwork for further progress,” Mr. Annan said.

Speaking to reporters following a meeting with Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, the Secretary-General also stressed the importance of outside support for Iraq. “International cooperation would be essential as we move ahead and help the Iraqi people regain their sovereignty and build a peaceful, democratic and stable Iraq.”

Towards that end, Mr. Annan said he and the Foreign Minister had discussed the important work that can be done by the “Friends of Iraq” group, which met late last week.

After he briefed Ms. Kawaguchi on the fact-finding mission to Iraq led by Special Advisor Lakhdar Brahimi, the Secretary-General said they discussed a range of international concerns, including Afghanistan.

“The Foreign Minister and I also talked about a number of issues that may not be on the front page of our newspapers or on our television but they also deserve urgent attention,” he added, citing conflict prevention, HIV/AIDS and “the African development that Japan has paid so much attention to.”

Mr. Annan also commented on his High-level Panel on Change, voicing hope that its work would help the UN keep pace with emerging trends. “After 58 years in existence? we need to look at ourselves critically and see the challenges we face and if the problems and the nature of the challenges we face have changed, the responses have to change, too.”

Hailing Tokyo's support, he welcomed assurances from the Foreign Minister that Japan remains committed to development. “My discussions with the minister reaffirmed that strong and valuable partnership between the UN and Japan,” he said. “At the time when there are so many common concerns, it is encouraging to know that the United Nations and Japan can count on each other.”