Top UN envoy stresses need for all Iraqis to take part in shaping country's future3 February 2005 – The top United Nations envoy for Iraq today stressed the need for all Iraqis to take part in shaping their country's future as he continued talks with political leaders following Sunday's elections in which voter turnout in Sunni areas was particularly low after boycott calls and ongoing violence.
Shiite Muslim Arabs, who voted in large numbers, are estimated to constitute about 60 per cent of the population, while Sunni Arabs and Kurds make up about 20 per cent each.
The UN will continue to encourage inclusiveness in the political process based on broad-based dialogue among all components of the Iraqi society, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative Ashraf Qazi said in meetings with Interim Finance Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, a candidate on the United Iraqi Coalition electoral list, and Iraqi Islamist Party President Muhsen Abdul Hamid.
Mr. Qazi, who yesterday met with interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution President Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, and Hussein al-Shahristani, a leading candidate on the United Iraqi Coalition, reiterated that the UN stands ready to offer every possible support to the Iraqi people.
Also high on the talks' agenda was the role the UN will play in supporting the political and rebuilding processes in Iraq following Sunday's election of the national assembly, which will write a new democratic constitution for a country that has suffered decades of dictatorship and prepare for new leadership elections by the end of the year.
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