Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/16/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

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

NUMBER=2-314168

BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Iraq's most powerful religious leader has informed the United Nations he wants the world body to play a role in the country's transition to self-rule. Peter Heinlein reports U-N officials remain hopeful that national elections in Iraq could be held by early next year.

TEXT: Iraqi Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has written a letter to Secretary General Kofi Annan saying the United Nations is welcome back in Iraq. The message was hand delivered through one of the Ayatollah's aides.

The rare letter was in response to recent news stories quoting some Shiite members of Iraq's Governing Council as questioning whether the world body should be allowed to return. Some articles referred specifically to dissatisfaction with the Secretary General's political adviser Lakhdar Brahimi, a Sunni Arab who recently went to Iraq and met Ayatollah al-Sistani.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Mr. Brahimi said the Ayatollah's letter clearly indicated a positive attitude toward U-N involvement.

///BRAHIMI ACT///

We've received a few days ago a message from the Ayatollah, directly to the Secretary General, saying they have absolutely nothing to do with these articles published, saying that as he told me when we met, he wants the U-N to continue to play a role in Iraq.

///END ACT///

The United Nations has been slow to return to Iraq after pulling out all staff in the wake of bomb attacks on U-N headquarters in Baghdad. Secretary General Annan said Tuesday he still sees security as one of the big hurdles to be overcome before the world body can help in preparing for national elections in Iraq.

But Mr. Annan said the United Nations is prepared to go back and assist in the transition process. He said he was just waiting for a signal from Iraqi officials.

///ANNAN ACT///

I don't think it is so much a credibility problem for the U-N as internal politics in Iraq.

///END ACT///

Mr. Annan expressed confidence that Mr. Brahimi would soon be invited back for a second mission to Iraq. The invitation could come as early as this week, when the Iraqi Governing Council meets.

Mr. Brahimi's report on his earlier mission concluded that it would take at least eight months to prepare for national elections in Iraq, if preparations begin immediately. He said Tuesday that while preparations have not begun, he remains hopeful that the elections could still be held by the beginning of next year. (Signed)

NEB/NYC/pfh/MEM/FC