Annan stresses security in Iraq for UN's return

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, February 24, 2004

Annan stresses security in Iraq for UN's return

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan stressed Tuesday a stable security situation in Iraq is essential for the United Nations to return, and reform for the world body isurgent.

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UN Secretary General Kofi Annan stressed Tuesday a stable security situation in Iraq is essential for the United Nations to return, and reform for the world body isurgent.

Addressing reporters before wrapping up his five-day travel to Japan tomorrow, Annan said the "efforts to secure the environment,to improve the security, to create a secure environment must go on,because security is essential for me to be able to return the UN staff," adding that the security is a "determinant factor."

A series of suicide bombings, including the one on Aug. 19 targeting the UN headquarters in Baghdad and killing the UN Special Envoy for Iraq Sergio Vieira de Mello along with other 11 people, forced the United Nations to pull out of Iraq.

Despite the United Nations would not make a headlong return, Annan noted efforts like cross-border activities will be conductedto facilitate the reconstruction process.

Annan said he does not "foresee the UN blue helmet being deployed to Iraq," but "do foresee the Security Council decide andmaintain an international multinational force in Iraq even after the handover" to help with the security and reconstruction.

The United States is about to turn the sovereignty to Iraq's Governing Council on June 30.

As for the UN reform, Annan said, "The reform of the Security Council and the need to bring the Council and the structure into today's realities are urgent."

He described the structure and composition of the current Security Council as reflecting "the political realities of 1945," noting that the reform should be conducted in order to make the Council "more representative, democratic."

Responding to Japan's efforts for a permanent seat in the Security Council, Annan said it should be decided by all UN members.

Earlier Tuesday, Annan addressed the Japanese lawmakers, makinghimself the first UN head ever to deliver a speech at Japan's parliament.

He appreciated Japan's financial assistance and deployment of the Self-Defense Forces to Iraq.

Annan also expressed his support for Wednesday's six-party meeting in Beijing over the nuclear development programs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Source: Xinhua

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