Successful Iraqi elections cause for optimism, UN envoy tells Security Council

Recent peaceful and “remarkable” polls are a crucial step in Iraq’s recovery process, the top United Nations envoy to the strife-torn nation told the Security Council today, paying tribute to the Iraqi people for their commitment to democracy.

The January provincial, or governorate, elections had a 7.5 million-person – or 51 per cent – turnout, “amidst speculations that political pressure could cast doubt on the credibility of the process and latent fears that security could pose the greatest impediment, both proven wrong,” Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, said in an open meeting.

There were over 14,000 candidates vying for 440 seats, and one-quarter of those elected are women.

The polls “have come to signify both a growing political maturity and a general keenness on the part of the Iraqis to partake in a process to shape their country’s future in real and tangible terms,” Mr. de Mistura said.

Now, the elected leaders must embark on the challenge of encouraging inclusive dialogue, striking compromises and working in coalitions, he stressed.

But the Special Representative, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), cautioned that “the political process doesn’t stop with the delivery of an electoral event,” since polls are only a step towards fostering national reconciliation.

“This is a pressing need for Iraq if Iraqis are to grab the chance in 2009 to experience real advances towards national sovereignty, democratic accountability, political stability, physical security and material prosperity.”

Regarding Kirkuk and problems such as the oil law and revenue-sharing, Mr. de Mistura said that there must be a “firm recognition” among all parties that a durable peace can only be achieved when solutions acceptable to all are found.

With elections for the Kurdish National Assembly and the national parliament slated to take place this year, he pledged UNAMI’s continued assistance, adding that the mission will “adjust to what Iraq requires most support with.”

Addressing reporters following today’s Council meeting, the envoy said that the January polls have served as a “very good beginning of 2009, showing how the Iraqis are capable of moving on the path of democracy,” praising the country for “having gone so far in such a short time.”