UN says yes to greater role in Iraq
New York (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The UN Security Council has unanimously approved a resolution extending the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (Unami), reduced in 2003 after a bomb attack on its Baghdad headquarters killed its top envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and 21 others. The UNAMI mandate, which expired yesterday, has been increased to offer assistance in political and humanitarian matters.
Resolution 1770 approved yesterday at UN headquarters – was presented by the US and Britain, who have the largest troop numbers on the ground. The United Nations will return to Iraq with an expanded political role, promoting reconciliation between its rival factions and dialogue with neighbouring countries. The UN mission would also be asked to promote human rights and judicial and legal reforms and to assist the Iraqi government in planning for a national census. The number of UN staff in Iraq will pass from 65 to 95; while the Mission chief will be nominated by Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
A White House spokesperson described the vote as “an important sign” and said that the US “is delighted at the prospect of working with the United Nations and their international partners to support the Iraqi government and promote political dialogue”. The US ambassador to the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad told the press that this is an “effort to internationalise the effort to assist Iraqis” in overcoming internal differences, and to assist the neighbours by bringing them together to help Iraq rather than add to Iraq's problems.
But the local population remains sceptic. Many believe that the widening of the UN mandate is useless in the face of the sectarian war, which divides the country: “We need radical change in order to arrive at the goal of a secular, non partisan, non confessional government”, say the people of Baghdad.
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