Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=6/7/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

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

NUMBER=2-316539

BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEAD: Brahimi Calls on U.N. to Give Iraqis Control

INTRO: The U.N. special envoy to Iraq, Lakhdar Brahimi, says that to be credible, Iraq's interim government must been seen as independent from foreign forces. From U-N headquarters, Peter Heinlein reports Mr. Brahimi also called for the prompt release of many detainees being held in Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib prison.

TEXT: In a briefing to the Security Council Monday, special envoy Brahimi said there is no getting away from the fact that Iraq's interim government is imperfect. He said it would not be fair to Iraqis to pretend otherwise.

But Mr. Brahimi argued that, taken as a complete package, the group that is to rule Iraq for the next seven months is talented, and is well positioned to bring the country together.

Referring to the Security Council resolution to be voted on Tuesday, the envoy said care must be taken to ensure that Iraqis are seen to be in full control of their country.

///BRAHIMI ACT///

"How that relationship is managed will be greatly affected by the credibility of the Interim Government in the eyes of the people."

///END ACT///

Mr. Brahimi, who oversaw the process of selecting the interim government welcomed the news that interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi has reached agreement on dissolving some of the country's armed militias. But warned that a spirit of statesmanship and reconciliation is needed to bring down the level of violence.

///BRAHIMI ACT///

"The interim government will need to lead discussions on what that political solution should comprise. It will need to reach out to those who have been vocal critics of this past year's process and engage them in dialogue. It will need to resist the temptation to characterize all who oppose the occupation has terrorists and bitter-enders."

///END ACT///

Mr. Brahimi also urged coalition authorities to pay urgent attention to Iraqi concerns about the treatment of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison. Afterward, he called for as many of the prisoners as possible to be promptly released.

////2ND BRAHIMI ACT///

"What I'm saying is there are lot of prisoners who can probably be liberated. I think they are liberating some. I wish that the rate of liberation will accelerate, and those who really deserve to remain in jail, a case could be really made out that they deserve to stay in jail. And naturally I think it must be Iraqis are traumatized by pictures you have seen here, and are demanding assurances be given that things like this do not happen again."

///END ACT///

Mr. Brahimi, a former Algerian foreign minister, cautioned that June 30th would mark only a new phase in the long process leading to an elected constitutional government in Iraq.

The Security Council is due to act late Tuesday on a resolution outlining the transition process. Last minute negotiations led to several changes designed to ensure full sovereignty for the interim government, including close coordination and consultation with multinational forces.

France, Germany and Russia, which had held out for greater guarantees of sovereignty, indicated late Monday they were satisfied with the resolution, clearing the way for what is likely to be unanimous approval. (Signed)

NEB/PFH/RH