Annan Appeals For End To Violence In Iraq

ANNAN APPEALS FOR END TO VIOLENCE IN IRAQ
New York, Apr 29 2005 3:00PM

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urged an end to violence in Iraq, saying it was unfortunate that the designation of a new government coincided with the atrocities that took place earlier Friday.

“I appeal to all Iraqis to desist from these violent acts. The people deserve better,” he told reporters after emerging from a Security Council meeting on Lebanon.

“They want to get on with their lives and we should do everything we can to assist the Iraqis in creating a society that is inclusive, that is participatory – and I have instructed my Special Representative to work with the parties towards that end.”

Ever since the 30 January parliamentary elections, Mr. Annan’s Special Representative for Iraq, Ashraf Qazi, has been meeting almost daily with a wide spectrum of Iraqi figures in an effort to secure full participation by all sectors in the transition.

Shiite Arabs, who voted enthusiastically, represent about 60 per cent of the population. The mainly Sunni Kurds, who also turned out en masse, and Sunni Arabs, the dominant political force in the regime of ousted leader Saddam Hussein but whose absence during the election assured them scant representation in the National Assembly that is to write the new constitution, represent about 20 per cent each.

2005-04-29 00:00:00.000

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