Monday
Nov162009
Iraq UN Representative Says Trust Is Being Regained
Monday, November 16, 2009 at 1:01PM
Ad Malkert, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq addressed the Security Council today to discuss a new election law being implemented in January 2010. The law aims to build on a climate of "trust" and to regain cooperation among United Nations agencies, local ethnic groups and the rest of the Iraqi people.
The long-delayed election law passed by Iraqi parliamentarians last week provides a clear path for national elections to be held in January.
"Most important is the agreement by the Iraqi Council of Representatives on this election law. We are happy that this law has passed," Malkert added.
President Obama has called the law an " important milestone toward ensuring lasting peace in Iraq." The Iraqi elections are crucial for the Obama administration which has strapped itself tight with plans to send thousands of additional US troops to Afghanistan. Many of the forces going to Afghanistan will be coming from Iraq.
One of the toughest issues going into the New Year is the slew of ethnic factions – Arabs, Kurds, and Turks--who cannot seem to agree on a new way forward for the Iraqi government. What the new election law aims to establish is inclusion by all parties--especially on the concern of resources with much of the debate centered on oil.
"Apart from elections, the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) is working to resolve the disputed internal boundaries, revenue sharing, promotion of economic growth, joint security provisions, human rights, constitutional reform and improving relations with Iraq and Kuwait. For UNAMI it is important to play a facilitating role to diffuse all these tensions," Malkert emphasized.
TRNS questioned Malkert on the oil revenue sharing program--especially since the previous US Administration as the occupying force and under the guidance of former Vice President, held a number of oil profitable contracts in the previous years. Malkert replied that there is a distinction between hydro carbon laws and the revenue-sharing in political terms. The UN Mission's goal is to establish, reform and adjust the balance that has been found in the constitution.
"The hope is to also to ensure a clear and predictable revenue sharing program that could be helpful in bringing about an agreed political understanding on broader issues," he added.
The long-delayed election law passed by Iraqi parliamentarians last week provides a clear path for national elections to be held in January.
"Most important is the agreement by the Iraqi Council of Representatives on this election law. We are happy that this law has passed," Malkert added.
President Obama has called the law an " important milestone toward ensuring lasting peace in Iraq." The Iraqi elections are crucial for the Obama administration which has strapped itself tight with plans to send thousands of additional US troops to Afghanistan. Many of the forces going to Afghanistan will be coming from Iraq.
One of the toughest issues going into the New Year is the slew of ethnic factions – Arabs, Kurds, and Turks--who cannot seem to agree on a new way forward for the Iraqi government. What the new election law aims to establish is inclusion by all parties--especially on the concern of resources with much of the debate centered on oil.
"Apart from elections, the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) is working to resolve the disputed internal boundaries, revenue sharing, promotion of economic growth, joint security provisions, human rights, constitutional reform and improving relations with Iraq and Kuwait. For UNAMI it is important to play a facilitating role to diffuse all these tensions," Malkert emphasized.
TRNS questioned Malkert on the oil revenue sharing program--especially since the previous US Administration as the occupying force and under the guidance of former Vice President, held a number of oil profitable contracts in the previous years. Malkert replied that there is a distinction between hydro carbon laws and the revenue-sharing in political terms. The UN Mission's goal is to establish, reform and adjust the balance that has been found in the constitution.
"The hope is to also to ensure a clear and predictable revenue sharing program that could be helpful in bringing about an agreed political understanding on broader issues," he added.
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