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Annan appeals for healing Security Council rifts on Iraq

22 April – Secretary-General Kofi Annan today appealed for a healing of the rifts within the United Nations Security Council that marked the run-up to the war in Iraq as the international community now seeks to help that country return to normalcy and rejoin the family of nations.

"What is important for us as we look forward to the future is that we try.to heal the divisions which emerged before the war and focus on the constructive efforts we are going to make in Iraq," he told reporters after meeting with Austrian President Thomas Klestil during an official visit to Vienna.

Mr. Annan said it was also important while working on Iraq not to forget the other major challenges requiring international cooperation such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism and poverty. "So I hope we will all realize that we need each other and that we need to come together and focus on what needs to be done," he added.

Asked what the natural role for the UN should be after the war, he said: "Let me say that there are many governments in the region and beyond who believe that the UN should have an important role to play.I think you know from experience and history that the UN has played important roles in many countries regarding the reconstruction, facilitation of political processes, human rights, a whole range of issues.

"We are coordinating the humanitarian activities now, but the Council will determine the additional responsibilities that the UN will take on, in consultation with others, of course," he concluded.