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UN will get larger role in Iraq sooner or later
Baghdad, June 25: The United Nations will eventually take a larger role in rebuilding Iraq whether or not the United States gives it one because it will stay long after the US-led coalition leaves, Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN representative to Iraq, said today.
Baghdad, June 25: The United Nations will eventually take a larger role in rebuilding Iraq whether or not the United States gives it one because it will stay long after the US-led coalition leaves, Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN representative to Iraq, said today.
Iraqis want ``the UN to play a strong and important role
in the future, not just in the short term, but in the long
term,`` Vieira de Mello told reporters at his first press
conference since he arrived here three weeks ago. ``We are
here for the long haul and we will be here long after the
coalition has left.``
For now, the United Nations finds itself in a ``bizarre situation`` in Iraq, playing second fiddle to two of its own member countries the United States and Britain, Vieira de Mello said.
It could be a long wait. Yesterday, a trio of US senators visiting Baghdad predicted the United States would need to be involved in Iraq for five years.
While the United States is orchestrating the appointment of a new Iraqi government, the UN is ``playing a role. It is a discreet but very active, intensive role,`` Vieira de Mello said.
The UN is also distributing humanitarian aid as well as developing programs aimed at boosting Iraq`s emerging free press, justice system and monitoring of human rights.
Vieira de Mello said Iraqis not the coalition should control the proceeds from the sale of the country`s oil. The United States has bristled at such suggestions in the past. current plans leave control over Iraqi oil and spending authority on oil proceeds in the hands of a US-controlled interim administration.
Bureau Report
For now, the United Nations finds itself in a ``bizarre situation`` in Iraq, playing second fiddle to two of its own member countries the United States and Britain, Vieira de Mello said.
It could be a long wait. Yesterday, a trio of US senators visiting Baghdad predicted the United States would need to be involved in Iraq for five years.
While the United States is orchestrating the appointment of a new Iraqi government, the UN is ``playing a role. It is a discreet but very active, intensive role,`` Vieira de Mello said.
The UN is also distributing humanitarian aid as well as developing programs aimed at boosting Iraq`s emerging free press, justice system and monitoring of human rights.
Vieira de Mello said Iraqis not the coalition should control the proceeds from the sale of the country`s oil. The United States has bristled at such suggestions in the past. current plans leave control over Iraqi oil and spending authority on oil proceeds in the hands of a US-controlled interim administration.
Bureau Report