Global perspective Human stories

Fiji to provide security detail for UN officials in Iraq

Fiji to provide security detail for UN officials in Iraq

media:entermedia_image:92484a39-4d37-4bf3-84ca-ff981863d5dc
Fiji has agreed to provide a protective security detail for senior United Nations officials in Iraq, as well as a guard unit for UN facilities in Baghdad, a spokesperson for the world body said today.

In addition, Australia has confirmed that it will provide most of the equipment to the Fijians, Marie Okabe said in New York.

Voicing gratitude to the two governments for their "critical" contribution, Ms. Okabe said this would "make it possible for the UN to consider expanding its activities in Iraq, as circumstances permit."

Asked about the number of Fijians in the force and the timing of its deployment, Ms. Okabe said about 130 would be heading to Iraq as soon as logistical preparations and training are completed, perhaps by next month.

She added that the UN is in talks with the United States regarding the provision of a unit of the multi-national force (MNF) dedicated to UN perimeter security, as well as armed escorts for UN personnel as they travel outside the international zone in Baghdad.

As for whether circumstances would allow an increase in UN staff, Ms. Okabe said security conditions were being monitored daily. She also noted that the current staff ceiling - set by the UN Security Coordinator - remained at 35, but would change once circumstances permit.

Meanwhile in Iraq, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, held a series of meetings in Baghdad with representatives of Iraqi civil society, diplomats and others on means to advance the political process and the role the UN can play in promoting national dialogue, Ms. Okabe said.

The talks also focused on national elections planned for next January, security and the human rights situation as well as efforts to encourage a broad based-dialogue and reconciliation in Iraq, she added.

Mr. Qazi reiterated the UN's commitment to fulfil its mandate under Security Council resolutions and to serving the Iraqi people, highlighting the support the UN is providing to the country's Independent Electoral Commission and the rebuilding process, according to the spokesperson.

Responding to a question about comments by the Iraqi Foreign Minister that the UN had not sent enough electoral workers, Ms. Okabe affirmed that the Secretary-General "has been doing his best to try to give as much support to the Iraqi Electoral Commission, and to the process, and as circumstances permit, we would obviously want to increase the assistance to the best of our ability."