Iraq

SRSG Ashraf Qazi

In New Year's message, top UN envoy renews support for Iraqi elections

31 December 2004
As Iraq moves into high gear for elections in just one month's time, the top United Nations there today delivered a New Year message pledging the world body's continued support "to help foster the future peace and prosperity" of all the war-torn country's peoples.

Iraq's independent electoral commission hails UN role in organizing balloting

29 December 2004
The Board of Commissioners of Iraq's independent electoral commission today hailed the work of the approximately 30 United Nations experts currently in the country to prepare for next month's planned balloting.

Annan condemns deadly bombing outside home of Iraqi political leader

27 December 2004
Voicing his dismay at today's deadly bombing outside the Baghdad home of an Iraqi political leader, Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the country's people to unite so that next month's national assembly elections can be peacefully and smoothly staged.

Nearly 6,250 candidates have registered for Iraq's national assembly poll - UN

23 December 2004
Nearly 6,250 candidates have so far registered for next month's elections to Iraq's 275-member national assembly, which will draft a constitution and appoint a new government to run the country until a presidential ballot is held at the end of the year, the United Nations mission reported today.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan

Iraqis have first chance in long while to reclaim their destiny - Annan

22 December 2004
As his top envoy continued meetings with Iraqi officials in Baghdad ahead of elections scheduled for 30 January, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today that the Iraqi people "have a chance for the first time in a long, long time to take their destiny in hand, to determine their own future."

UK Prime Minister and UN envoy discuss Iraq elections in Baghdad

21 December 2004
Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative for Iraq, Ashraf Qazi, met today in Baghdad with British Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss the role of the United Nations in elections planned for 30 January 2005 in the turbulent country.
Kofi Annan

Annan recommits UN to help Iraq hold elections after deadly terror attacks

20 December 2004
Secretary-General Kofi Annan today pledged anew full United Nations support for the Iraqi people in holding elections following yesterday's terror attacks that killed over 60 people, including three election workers, while in Baghdad his top envoy took the symbolic step of determining which parties would head the ballot list.

Laboratory equipment and text books headed to Iraq in UN-sponsored project

16 December 2004
Four containers of laboratory equipment, along with supplies of up-to-date reference and textbooks, are on their way to Iraq as part of an international effort to revitalize the country’s universities and its higher education system under a nearly $6 million programme jointly sponsored by the United Nations.

UN chief and US Secretary of State discuss preparations for Iraq's elections

16 December 2004
With the registration of political entities in Iraq complete, Secretary-General Kofi Annan and United States Secretary of State Colin Powell met today in Washington for further talks on preparations for next month's elections and United Nations assistance in the process.
Kofi Annan

Annan intends to increase number of staff in Iraq, orders security review

15 December 2004
Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced today that he intends to increase the number of United Nations staff in Iraq, which he cut back after last year’s terrorist bombing of UN headquarters in Baghdad, and has ordered a review of security conditions in the violence-wracked country in order to move as soon as practicable.