Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=6/25/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=(CQ) U.N./Annan/Iraq (L-O)

NUMBER=2-317010

BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// RE-ISSUING TO GIVE ANNAN'S FULL NAME IN FIRST LINE OF INTRO ///

HEADLINE: U.N. to Establish Permanent Envoy in Iraq

INTRO: U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan says he will soon dispatch a permanent envoy to Baghdad, as the world body prepares to take on a bigger role in Iraq. But at the same time, Mr. Annan expressed concern about the recent surge of violence in several Iraqi cities. Peter Heinlein reports from U.N. headquarters in New York.

TEXT: Despite daily reports of terror attacks and military clashes, the Secretary-General says he is sending a senior U.N. representative to Baghdad.

///ANNAN ACT///

"I will be naming a special representative shortly, and his duty station will be Baghdad."

///END ACT///

Mr. Annan noted that security conditions are deteriorating. That would prevent him from dispatching large numbers of U.N. staff to Iraq for the time being. But he rejected suggestions that the world body would not be able to take on a leading role in assisting Iraq's transition to a democratically-elected government.

///2ND ANNAN ACT///

"Call it what you wish, but I think when you look at the electoral process and the transition that we just went through, those are very critical activities. Quite frankly, if we're going to resolve the conflict in Iraq, it is through political reconciliation, it's through political work, it's through inclusive participatory elections and national conference which will be held next month."

///END ACT///

Mr. Annan said for the time being, the bulk of U.N. staff assigned to Iraq will work out of nearby Jordan, finding creative ways to visit the country when necessary.

He pledged that the world body would do everything it could to help Iraqis prepare for credible elections next January.

The Secretary General leaves Sunday on a three-week tour that will take him to Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. But for security reasons, his staff declines to say whether there is any possibility he might visit Iraq. (Signed)

NEB/NY/PFH/FC/RH