Annan meets with US, UK ambassadors ahead of talks with Iraqi officials9 January – Secretary-General Kofi Annan met in New York today with coalition representatives in preparation for 19 January talks on the future role of the United Nations in the country.
Prior to the meeting, a spokesman for Mr. Annan said the Secretary-General wanted to listen to whatever ideas Ambassador John D. Negroponte of the United States and Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry of the United Kingdom would present.
"I don't think we want to comment on how things should be done in Iraq," Fred Eckhard said in response to questions at a press briefing. The Secretary-General, he added, is "more in a listening mode today."
The spokesman recalled that Mr. Annan, in comments last month to the Security Council and in his year-end press conference, expressed the view "that there was clearly not enough time to organize fair and credible elections in Iraq given the situation on the ground."
"The situation on the ground remains insecure. So the scope for a UN role is very much limited by the security factor. That's a fact of life," Mr. Eckhard said. "But I think everyone wants to see a successful transition to sovereignty in Iraq and everyone has their thinking caps on as to the best way to do that."
Following the meeting, US Ambassador Negroponte confirmed that Washington would participate in the planned dialogue. "I can tell you that the United States will be represented and will be appropriately represented," he told reporters, adding, "I cannot at this moment identify who that representation will be."
The US Ambassador also said the talks on 19 January should cover issues of mutual concern, especially security. "We want the UN to play a vital role and we welcome the UN back into Iraq as soon as it could possibly do so." Specific details remained to be discussed among the coalition, the Governing Council and the UN.
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