Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4/8/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=UN / EU / IRAQ

NUMBER=2-301949

BYLINE=JENNY BADNER

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

VOICED AT:

INTRO: European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana joins other European leaders in calling for a major U-N role in running post-war Iraq. Correspondent Jenny Badner reports form the United Nations.

TEXT: Mr. Solana says despite disagreements about the war in Iraq, the United Nations as an institution is "very much alive." And he says the entire international community is demanding a wide U-N role in rebuilding Iraq.

/ / / SOLANA ACT / / /

We are not asking for a big role as Europeans; we are trying to defend the role of the United Nations. We are members of the United Nations and it should be the United Nations that plays a very important role, a vital role in post-conflict (Iraq.)

/ / / END ACT / / /

Mr. Solana, who met with U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan, made his remarks just hours after President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed support for a "vital" U-N role in a post-war Iraq.

Earlier, French President, Jacques Chirac had repeated his view that the United Nations should have the central responsibility for rebuilding Iraq in a post-Saddam Hussein era. Mr. Chirac is expected to meet with in St. Petersburg with his Russian and German counterparts, all vocal opponents of the Iraq war.

U-N's Kofi Annan is also traveling to Europe for talks on the issue. Also on Tuesday, Fred Eckhard, a spokesman for Mr. Annan, said that "vital role" should not be limited to humanitarian relief.

/ / / ECKHARD ACT / / /

We won't be disappointed if it's only humanitarian but we think it would be unwise, and we're waiting for our marching orders from the (Security) Council.

/ / / END ACT / / /

Meanwhile, the Security Council also convened (Tuesday) to receive a progress report on resuming humanitarian relief to the Iraqi people through the United Nations' oil-for-food program. (Signed)

NEB/JB/MAR