Approval of boosted UN role in Iraq looks likely

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 2 (Reuters) Russia signaled its assent today to a US-British draft resolution that would expand the political role of the United Nations in Iraq, making its approval by the Security Council almost certain.

''I think it's overall a good draft. Some work, of course, may be required, but I don't see any basic problems,'' Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters.

The draft circulated to the Security Council's 15 member states on Wednesday called for a major upgrade to the scope of the U.N.

Assistance Mission for Iraq, or UNAMI, to accompany the extension of its mandate for a further year.

The current mandate expires on Aug. 10. Diplomats from several countries said they expected the new resolution to be voted through by the council next week.

Since it was set up four years ago, UNAMI has focused mainly on helping with elections and monitoring human rights. UN staff were withdrawn from Iraq after their Baghdad office was blown up, killing 22 people, five months after the March 2003 US-led invasion, but some later returned.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad, formerly envoy to Iraq, has said he wants the world body more involved in reconciliation between Iraq's feuding factions. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also favors a bigger UN role.

The draft says UNAMI should in future ''advise, support and assist'' Iraqis on ''advancing an inclusive, national dialogue and political reconciliation,'' reviewing the constitution, delineating internal boundaries and staging a census.

The draft, which comes as Washington and London are urging Iraq to take more responsibility to allow US and British troops eventually to leave, says UNAMI should also promote dialogue between Iraq and its neighbors on border security, energy and refugees.

The mission should assist in the return of millions of refugees who have fled the violence, coordinate reconstruction programs and aid, and help promote economic reform, it says.

POSITIVE RESPONSES US mission spokesman Benjamin Chang said experts would discuss the draft tomorrow. ''I think there'll be some editing to be done, but so far we've had positive responses,'' he said.

The invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein ended the domination of Iraq by its Sunni minority, propelling the long downtrodden Shi'ite majority into the political driving seat and also empowering the Kurds.

Iraqi factions have struggled since then to govern the country together while brutal violence by militant groups has killed tens of thousands.

UN spokesman Farhan Haq said the organization was being consulted over the resolution, but added, ''We remain mindful of the security situation and the constraints that are presented'' by it.

The head of the former UN mission in Baghdad, veteran Brazilian diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello, was among those killed in the 2003 blast, and the new draft acknowledges the security problem.

In a June report, Ban said current UN staff quartered in Baghdad's Green Zone government and diplomatic compound needed a new, more solid building to withstand possible attacks.

Western diplomats say it will be up to the United Nations to decide if it needs to increase the approximately 300 staff UNAMI has, should the resolution pass.

Reuters KK DB2326