UN-Truth

Here are excerpts from remarks made by UN SG BAN Ki-Moon at a press conference with Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey in Bern, Switzerland, this evening: “I think everybody, including myself, in the world should be very much concerned and troubled by this ongoing violence and instability in Iraq. The international community has been trying to help in many aspects. The United Nations has also been trying to help the Iraqi Government and people in their very difficult and daunting, but noble, efforts to secure their security and political stability and economic and social stability. I hope the international community will continue as part of the ongoing efforts by the United Nations and the international community.

I am going to officially launch an International Compact for Iraq on May 3rd in Sharm el-Sheikh together with Prime Minister [Nuri al-]Maliki of Iraq. That will be followed immediately by an expanded ministerial meeting of [the countries] in the region as well as some other major countries. I hope these two international events will also play an important momentum to help the Iraqi Government to restore peace and security.

At the same time I would urge the Iraqi Government, in parallel with the international cooperation, Iraqi Government leaders should also engage in an inclusive or political process to promote national reconciliation. And also the countries in the region should be prepared to help such a process …

Question:  Will the UN go back in and work on the ground in Iraq?

… At this time the United Nations has been largely constrained and limited, by the [security] situation on the ground. There may be many other ways for the United Nations to strengthen our role. There may be an idea of increasing our physical presence, but this physical presence and maneuverability have been very much dictated by security on the ground. As a part of all continuing efforts, we are going to open this International Compact to help them, politically and economically and socially help their process”.

http://www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp

Filed under: BAN Ki-Moon, Iraq, UN Humanitarian Efforts, UN Secretary-General