Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=7/21/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / ANNAN (L-O)

NUMBER=2-305651

BYLINE=JENNY BADNER

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan has called the creation of a new Governing Council in Iraq "a positive step" and has urged the Security Council to give the group its support. Correspondent Jenny Badner reports from the United Nations.

TEXT: Mr. Annan says that the Governing Council emerged from consultations with Iraqis and others, including his special representative Sergio Vieira de Mello.

He says "it was a good method" of putting together a new Governing Council, given the fact that elections could not yet be organized in Iraq.

In his comments (Monday) at United Nations headquarters, he called on the Security Council to give the organization its support.

But contrary to media reports, Mr. Annan has not endorsed the group in a report to Security Council members. Rather, he says he welcomes the Governing Council and calls for providing assistance.

Mr. Annan's spokesman, Fred Eckhard:

/ / / FIRST ECKHARD ACT / / /

The Secretary General writes that the United Nations should help the Iraqis participate in and take ownership of the process that will help shape the future of their country.

/ / / END ACT / / /

Mr. Eckhard says the Secretary General also focused on remaining challenges for the U-S-led Coalition Authority in Iraq and the United Nations. He says, those concerns range from restoring Iraq's security to implementing an electoral process.

/ / / ECKHARD ACT / / /

In order to allay some of the concerns of the Iraqis, it is important that the Iraqis are able to see a clear timetable leading to the full restoration of sovereignty. The Secretary General says in his report there is a pressing need to set out a clear and specific sequence of events leading to the end of military occupation.

/ / / END ACT / / /

Special representative Vieira de Mello is scheduled to brief the Security Council on Tuesday in an open meeting on the situation in Iraq and the role of the United Nations. A delegation of the Iraqi Governing Council is also expected to participate in the session. (SIGNED)

NEB/NYC/JB/RH/FC