UN not to take over and run Iraq: Annan

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, September 16, 2003

UN not to take over and run Iraq: Annan

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan stressed Monday that the world body is neither interested in administering Iraq nor in taking over its security aspects.

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United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan stressed Monday that the world body is neither interested in administering Iraq nor in taking over its security aspects.

"Some people, when they talk about UN role, seem to think the UN is going to take over the country and run it. That has never been the issue," Annan told reporters upon his arrival at the UN headquarters in New York.

"Nor is the UN interested in taking over the security aspects and putting UN blue helmets on the ground," he said.

Annan noted that the United Nations have very good experience in facilitating political processes and helping countries that have been in difficulties to re-establish democratically elected governments.

"As I have indicated, we believe that we can assist the Iraqis in administering their own territory," he said. "But we are not togo in and run Iraq."

The UN chief said the foreign ministers of the five Security Council permanent members agreed in Geneva to restore the sovereignty of Iraq as soon as possible and the question now is a timetable for the process.

"Everybody agrees that we should try and hand over power to theIraqis as soon as possible," he stressed. "The question is, how doyou get there, and how best do we organize ourselves to get it done."

Indicating he would continue to push council members to resolvetheir differences over Iraq, Annan said he will meet with the 10 elected council members Monday and hold talks with foreign ministers of all 15 council members during a luncheon this week.

The foreign ministers are scheduled to come here for the 58th regular session of the General Assembly, which is to open Tuesday.

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