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US-led forces carry responsibility for security: Annan
United Nations, Aug 21: Ultimate responsibility for the security situation in Iraq lies with the US-led coalition forces, UN secretary general Kofi Annan told the Security Council, a day after the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad.
United Nations, Aug 21: Ultimate responsibility for the security situation in Iraq lies with the US-led coalition forces, UN secretary general Kofi Annan told the Security Council, a day after the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad.
"If we, and others, are to be able to contribute
effectively to the recovery of Iraq, it is essential that an
environment of security be created in Iraq," Annan said.
"That is ultimately the responsibility of the coalition provisional authority," he added yesterday in his first briefing to the Security Council since the bomb attack in Baghdad that claimed 24 lives.
While the United Nations has stopped short of directly criticising US forces for failing to protect its compound in Baghdad, UN officials have repeatedly stressed that outside perimeter security was solely in the hands of the US-led forces.
Under UN Resolution 1483, which defined the United Nations' postwar role in Iraq, the US-British coalition is the "occupying power" with security responsibilities under the Geneva conventions.
For their part, US officials have pointed out that their UN counterparts in Baghdad had not wanted the same high-profile security provided for the coalition headquarters in one of Saddam Hussein's former fortress palaces. Bureau Report
"That is ultimately the responsibility of the coalition provisional authority," he added yesterday in his first briefing to the Security Council since the bomb attack in Baghdad that claimed 24 lives.
While the United Nations has stopped short of directly criticising US forces for failing to protect its compound in Baghdad, UN officials have repeatedly stressed that outside perimeter security was solely in the hands of the US-led forces.
Under UN Resolution 1483, which defined the United Nations' postwar role in Iraq, the US-British coalition is the "occupying power" with security responsibilities under the Geneva conventions.
For their part, US officials have pointed out that their UN counterparts in Baghdad had not wanted the same high-profile security provided for the coalition headquarters in one of Saddam Hussein's former fortress palaces. Bureau Report