UN envoy to Iraq voices hope that elections can be held by end of January 2005

The senior United Nations envoy to Iraq today said "from a technical perspective" elections slated to be held by the end of January 2005 can go ahead as planned.

"We also hope that the political and security environment will improve to allow for the convening of credible, comprehensive and transparent elections," Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative, Ashraf Qazi said at a luncheon organized by the newly established Iraqi Democratic Institute.

The envoy stressed that the UN will continue to extend all possible support to the Iraqi people in their efforts to rebuild their country. He pointed out that the UN has decided to increase the number of its international staff in Iraq as the date for holding the elections nears.

The UN, he added, also stands ready to contribute to efforts to broaden the political process to ensure the participation of the largest number of Iraqi political entities who believe in dialogue as means to address political differences.

Mr. Qazi outlined the role the UN has played in enabling the Iraqi Independent Electoral Commission, which will organize the country's first democratic elections scheduled for late January 2005.

The Special Representative said he believed that "from technical perspectives, elections can be held within the time frame" that was set by the transitional law and the UN Security Council.

"Iraq is passing through a historic moment and you can be sure that the United Nations will do every thing it can to help you," Mr. Qazi told the 70 participants. In addition to helping with the electoral and political processes, Mr. Qazi said the UN is working closely with Iraq's ministries and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in providing essential services to people in need.

Nearly two dozen UN agencies are working together to support Iraqis in such areas as health, education, water and electricity.

Mr. Qazi expressed hope that the international conference on Iraq set to be held in Egypt later this month will be a successful event in rallying regional and international support to the rebuilding process.

Meanwhile, the UN mission in Baghdad is monitoring the situation Fallujah so as to properly assist in meeting the needs of the civilian population in and outside the city, according to a UN spokesman.

Fred Eckhard told reporters in New York that the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has provided the Iraqi authorities with medical supplies, including about 50,000 blood bags. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is supplying water for people who have been rendered homeless.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have also made available tents and other supplies to displaced Iraqis.