Date:11/04/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/11/stories/2003041102981400.htm

International

Annan concerned at lack of functioning govt.

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON April 10. The United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has said it appeared that there was no functioning government in Iraq at this time and this must be of concern to the U.S.-led coalition forces.

"...From what we have seen in the reports it appears there is no functioning government in Iraq at the moment", Mr. Annan remarked at the world body headquarters in New York. "We also saw the scenes of jubilation. But, of course, when you think of the casualties, both military and civilian, the Iraqis have paid a heavy price for this... we've seen scenes of looting and obviously law and order must be a major concern," he said.

Mr. Annan observed that he still saw a continuing role for the weapons inspectors in Iraq and that mandates had only been temporarily put on hold. "...The mandate is still valid. It is only suspended because it became inoperable on account of the war. And I would expect Mr. Blix and Mr. El-Baradei to be able to return as soon as it is possible. And I think they are the ones with the mandate to disarm Iraq." He said the Iraqi envoy to the U.N., Mohammad al Douri had not asked for asylum; at the same time, he did not know what the present status of the Iraqi envoy is. "...I did talk to him on Monday. We reviewed the situation in Baghdad and what was happening. He did not have much information. I do not know where he is or what his status is at the moment."

On Wednesday, Mr. al Douri made a startling observation by saying "The game is over" that drew a response from the U.S. Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, who said, "Well, I would say it was not a game." Mr. al Douri became defensive when reporters asked him what exactly he meant by saying that he had "no relationship" with Saddam Hussein. "I have no communication with Iraq," the envoy shot back. There have been unconfirmed media reports that the U.N. is trying its best to get into the peacekeeping role inside Iraq — the blue helmets coming from Arab nations to police the post-conflict phase in Iraq.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, U.N. officials are said to be working still on a Draft of what is being called a `Coalition-Plus Initiative'. The Bush administration has made it known that it is clearly not for a "central role" for the United Nations in the post-conflict phase. But those pushing the so-called Coalition Plus Initiative are hopeful that Washington will see the advantages: the Blue Helmets will reduce the number of troops and in the process inject a sense of internationalism and support to the new government.