TodaysNetworkNews: 04 August 2009 - UNTV: The new top United Nations envoy to Iraq said today (4 August) that Iraq is facing an unparalleled moment of opportunity, but warned that there are many factors that could still tip the scale.
Ad Melkert, who recently replaced Staffan de Mistura as UN Special Representative for Iraq voiced cautious optimism as the country regains its sovereignty, but warned of potential dangers ahead, pledging full UN support for the economic and social development of the violence-scarred nation.
He said that although statistics tell the story of a downward trend in the overall level of violence, reality is still tainted by an unacceptably high level of indiscriminate attacks on civilians, and added that the coming period is a true challenge to the Iraqi government and the Iraqi security forces to show skill and determination, to gain the trust of the population, and to respect fundamental human rights.
Melkert noted that the Iraqi people have shown persistent restraint and dignity in the face of often unpredictable attacks in deliberate attempts to throw Iraq off its current course pointing out that this shows just how far the attackers are out of step with national sentiment.
Noting that the UNs 547 million dollar consolidated appeal for Iraq for 2009 was only 33 percent funded as of July, and that needs have since increased by over 100 million dollars to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) returning to their homes, he called on member states to fill the gap.
Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Al-Bayati told the Council that June 30th 2009 presented a historical day for the Iraqi people as it witnessed the withdrawal of American forces from Iraqi cities and the Iraqi government took control of 150 military bases formerly under American control.
TODAYSNETWORKNEWS IS A GLOBAL NEWS NETWORK FOR BREAKING INTERNATIONAL NEWS, OPINION, VIDEO AND TELEVISION BY INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED NEWS JOURNALISTS.
See, [ Ссылка ]
