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UN envoy in Iraq continues efforts to forge political participation of all elements

UN envoy in Iraq continues efforts to forge political participation of all elements

SRSG Ashraf Qazi
Continuing his efforts to ensure that all elements of Iraqi society take part in plotting a new democratic course for the war-torn country after Sunni Arabs largely stayed away from January's elections, particularly in writing a new constitution, the top United Nations envoy there is well into his second month of intensive talks.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative Ashraf Qazi this week held a number of meetings with Iraqi officials and representatives of various political and social trends, including interim President Ghazi Yawer, interim Vice-President and nominee for transitional Prime Minister Ibrahim Ja'fari and Interim Finance Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

He also met with the head of the Islamic Sunni Waqf Organization, Adnan Dleimi, as well as Iraqi activists, academicians and incoming members of the Transitional National Assembly elected on 30 January.

His message throughout these sessions, which began almost as soon as the voting booths closed on 30 January, has been the need for all Iraqis to contribute to shaping the future of their country through engaging in an all inclusive political process.

The January elections represent a landmark development in efforts to restore peace and stability, but Sunni Arab participation was extremely low, either due to boycott calls, intimidation or fears of violence. Hence they have little representation in the new assembly, whose principal task will be the writing of a new constitution.

Shiite Muslim Arabs, who voted in large numbers, are estimated to constitute about 60 per cent of the population, while Kurds – who also turned out en masse for the polls – and Sunni Arabs make up about 20 per cent each.