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
