Resolution to extend UN mandate in Iraq welcomed
Britain said it expects quick approval of a resolution that would expand the UN mandate in Iraq to promote political reconciliation, settle disputed internal boundaries, and plan for a national census.
“I think it will get voted early next week,” British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry said yesterday. “There’s no problem on it – it’s straight forward.”
Britain circulated the resolution, co-sponsored by the United States, to other Security Council members on Wednesday.
Council experts, who went over the text, were expected to meet again today.
“I think it’s overall a good draft,” Russia’s UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said. “Some work, of course, may be required. But I don’t see any basic problems.”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been under pressure from the United States to expand the UN’s role in Iraq and said in June he would consider it.
But he cited deteriorating security in Iraq as an obstacle.
“We want the UN to play a more enhanced role with regard to internal reconciliation and regional cooperation,” US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said yesterday.
“I am pleased that a draft resolution embracing that idea is making progress in discussions among experts.”
