UN ready to assist Kuwait, Iraq normalize relations - official

12/6/2011

UN ready to assist Kuwait, Iraq normalize relations - official

United Nations - Kobler described the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq later this month as an "important milestone" in Iraq's history, as the country "rebuilds and strengthens its relations with regional and international powers".

He conceded that there are challenges ahead and "many seem concerned by what the future may entail".

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However, he said, the US withdrawal represents an opportunity for all Iraqis to prove to themselves and to the world that they can build a peaceful and better future for their country, and an opportunity for all political leaders to respond to the legitimate aspirations of their constituencies and bring democracy, political stability and economic prosperity forward.

He also conceded that the task ahead will require further progress on the security front, praising the Iraqi Security Forces for assuming the full control of the security of the country during the last few months despite the terrorist attacks which affect the lives of hundreds of citizens across the country.

"After the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, it is of particular importance that democratic standards, including respect for rule of law, in relation to electoral processes and human rights are safeguarded and further advanced. There must not be a roll back," he insisted.

On this issue, Al-Bayati told the Council that the next year "will bring great challenges and responsibilities for the Iraqi Government after the US forces withdrawal by the end of this year".

However, he added, the "strategic framework agreement between Iraq and the US will highlight the relations between the two countries in the next stage on all political, economic, technical, cultural, and scientific levels".

He told the Council that Iraq has "worked hard" during the past few months "to improve its defensive capabilities to stand in the face of terrorist attacks, to protect internal security and to save democracy in Iraq".

He said the Arab Summit will be held in Iraq next March, as scheduled.

"It is the right time to hold the Arab summit, because it is very sensitive and important for the Arab world after the changes that happened in the region, " he said.

On the Oil sector, Al-Bayati said that after "decades of wasting the wealth of the natural gas" associated with Iraq's Oil, the Southern Gas Company has signed an agreement of principles with Shell and Mitsubishi Oil companies last October to establish a joint company to benefit from the natural gas in Basra.

He indicated that crude oil exports for the month of September totaled 63.1 million barrels with an average daily export output of 2.1 million barrels, and that the Oil Ministry is currently aiming at increasing its production levels to 2.9 million barrels a day, close to this year's goal of three million barrels a day.

Kobler finally appealed to Iraq to extend the deadline to shut down Camp Ashraf, which hosts some 3,400 Iranian opponents to the regime in Tehran, beyond December 31st.

Iraq has repeatedly stated its intention to close down the camp by the end of this year and to transfer its residents to another location until countries are found outside Iraq where they can resettle.

"There is real danger of confrontation and even violence unless a mutually acceptable solution is achieved," Kobler stressed.

He said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is "ready to begin the verification and interviews for the purposes of refugee status determination. However the process will take time to complete. Clearly, the situation cannot be fully resolved before the December 31st deadline".

"I therefore appeal to the Government of Iraq to extend this deadline in order to permit adequate time and space for a solution to be found. This would also helpfully lower the existing tensions," he said.

Kobler also appealed to governments worldwide to "step forward and offer to accept Camp Ashraf residents to resettle in their countries".
He said he is traveling to Belgium later today to discuss the issue with Government officials.

On the other hand, he welcomed Iran's readiness to receive those residents who express a desire to voluntarily return to their home country with the assurance that their welfare and safety will be respected.

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