Bush wants stronger UN presence in Iraq: Ban

United Nations, Jan 18: US President George W Bush asked the United Nations to increase its presence in Iraq but the world body is concerned about security, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday.

Ban, who just ended a two-day visit to Washington, the first since he took office on January 1, said however that the United Nations would take a more active role in the International Compact for Iraq, a UN-sponsored initiative to provide reconstruction aid in return for democratic reforms.

''President Bush wanted to see an increased presence and role of the United Nations in Iraq,'' Ban told reporters.

However, Ban said he told the president the United Nations ''will continue, wherever and whenever we can, to increase our presence there, but that will largely be constrained by security concerns.'' Former Secretary-General Kofi Annan withdrew the UN's international staff from Iraq in in 2003 following two attacks on UN offices in Baghdad. The first attack in August 2003 killed 22 people, including Brazilian Sergio Vieira de Mello, head of the mission.

UN political staff, now headed by Pakistani Ashraf Qazi, returned a year later but in far lower numbers. UN officials helped Iraq draft a new constitution and prepare for elections.

Relations between the United States and the United Nations deteriorated after the UN Security Council refused to endorse the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan agreed with the council, although he sent Vieira de Mello and his staff to Iraq.

Ban, in answer to questions, would not compare his relationship with the United States with that of Annan, who was frequently criticized by former US Ambassador John Bolton.

''What I stressed during my meetings with President Bush and all Congressional leaders is that while there was a time when the relationship between the United Nations and the United States was not easy, it is time now to look for better days between the United Nations and the United States,'' he said.

He said Bush pledged continued US support and participation ''in all areas of UN activities.'' Ban was also asked why he called Bush a ''great leader'' during chats with reporters in Washington on Tuesday.

''I'm wondering why you are asking that question,'' he said.

''In diplomacy, it is appropriate to address any head of state or government with due respect and courtesy. I hope you understand these diplomatic practices.'' The United States has been lobbying to head the UN Department of Political Affairs and has proposed B Lynn Pascoe, the American ambassador to Indonesia.

The department was to absorb disarmament affairs, now a separate unity, but developing nations, which would have to approve the arrangement in the General Assembly, have protested about a citizen of a country with the most weapons in the world controlling that unit. Ban said he was still considering appointments as well as his reorganisation plans.

REUTERS

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