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UN names `contact group` for Iraq
United Nations, Nov 27: A UN `contact group` on Iraq set up by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is to meet for the first time next Monday, his spokesman said.
United Nations, Nov 27: A UN 'contact group' on Iraq set up by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is to meet for the first time next Monday, his spokesman said.
The group comprises the six countries that border Iraq plus Egypt, the five permanent members of the Security Council and five non-permanent members.
Spain was also added to the group later in the day, according to UN spokesman Fred Eckhard yesterday. The group is meant to coordinate the approaches of neighbouring countries and the rest of the international community.
"It is not unusual for the Secretary General to form a small group of advisors he intends to consult periodically for his own purposes," Eckhard said. The countries are to be represented at the level of their ambassadors to the United Nations. The neighbours are Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Kuwait and Egypt.
The five permanent members of the Security Council are Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
Eckhard said the four non-permanent members chosen by Annan in consultation with the president of the council were Germany, Angola, Chile, Spain and Pakistan. Annan spoke with US Secretary of State Colin Powell on the weekend, in what Eckhard said was a social call that included discussions on the Middle East, Iraq, Iran and Georgia.
Bureau Report
Spain was also added to the group later in the day, according to UN spokesman Fred Eckhard yesterday. The group is meant to coordinate the approaches of neighbouring countries and the rest of the international community.
"It is not unusual for the Secretary General to form a small group of advisors he intends to consult periodically for his own purposes," Eckhard said. The countries are to be represented at the level of their ambassadors to the United Nations. The neighbours are Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Kuwait and Egypt.
The five permanent members of the Security Council are Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
Eckhard said the four non-permanent members chosen by Annan in consultation with the president of the council were Germany, Angola, Chile, Spain and Pakistan. Annan spoke with US Secretary of State Colin Powell on the weekend, in what Eckhard said was a social call that included discussions on the Middle East, Iraq, Iran and Georgia.
Bureau Report