Security Council Discusses Expanding UN's Political Role in Iraq

The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday discussed a draft resolution to expand the UNs' political role in Iraq.From VOA's New York bureau,Suzanne Presto reports that U.N. diplomats say there is support to extend the U.N. mandate for another year and to enhance the mission.The UN pulled its staffers from Iraq in August 2003,after terrorists blew up the mission's Baghdad offices and killed 22 people.Although some employees have returned,security continues to be a major
concern.Now,western nations,particularly the US and Britain,are urging the U.N. to expand its political role in Iraq.The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) currently has 65 international employees in the country who handle basic political tasks there.Officials say the draft resolution seeks to increase the number of staffers to about 95.After briefing the Security Council,Under-Secretary-General Lynn Pascoe said he found wide support among members to increase the U.N.'s presence in Iraq."My very strong impression from this morning was that they [Security Council members] believe that this is where the U.N. should be, that they are happy that the U.N. is working these issues," she said."They all recognize the difficulties.They recognize the dangers, but I think it was-as nearly as I could tell-there was absolutely no dissent from the idea that the thrust of this resolution is exactly where we should be."Pascoe said the Iraqi people,as well as the Iraqi government, have asked the UN to do more on the ground.He stressed that the U.N. will only work with the Iraqi government's full cooperation. Pascoe said the speed at which tasks are accomplished depends upon the Iraqi government's willingness to move forward.
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http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-08-07-voa70.cfm
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