INSTANT VIEW-Reactions to enlarged future U.N. role in Iraq
Source: Reuters
UNITED NATIONS, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Following are reactions to an expanded U.N. political role in Iraq, which the U.N. Security Council approved in a 15-0 vote on Friday as resolution 1770. WHITE HOUSE SPOKESWOMAN DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY DANA PERINO "The president welcomes today's unanimous vote ... (which) sends an important signal of the United Nations' commitment to support stability and security in Iraq." "The United States is fully committed to this framework and looks forward to working with the United Nations and international partners to support the Iraqi government and promote political dialogue in Iraq." ZALMAY KHALILZAD, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UNITED NATIONS "Without a doubt, we in the international community have had our differences with regard to Iraq. Despite these differences, I believe we all share the same vision for Iraq's future. This forward-looking resolution, adopted unanimously by the Security Council, is an important signal that the page has turned." BRITAIN'S U.N. AMBASSADOR, EMYR JONES PARRY "We also hope that the U.N. will soon be able to redeploy a contingent to Basra, where its expertise would be helpful in delivering capacity building in Iraq's southeast." He added: "I emphasize once more that a democratic and stable Iraq, at peace with itself and with its neighbors, can only be delivered through a collective effort by all -- the burden of delivering this must be a shared one." IRAQ'S U.N. AMBASSADOR, HAMID AL BAYATI "We believe the U.N. Assistance Mission in Iraq, with this expanded mandate, could help with the national reconciliation among the Iraqi political parties and groups ... a review of the constitution and passing the laws which have been debated for some time." RUSSIA'S U.N. AMBASSADOR, VITALY CHURKIN "Russia is in favor of the maximum possible involvement of the United Nations ... with active use of its mediating potential to overcome the profound military and political crisis in Iraq." U.N. STAFF UNION RESOLUTION "...calls on the (U.N.) secretary-general not to deploy any additional staff member to Iraq, and to remove those currently serving at the duty station in Baghdad until such time as the security situation and the environment improves." AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL "The Security Council has missed a crucial opportunity to urge all parties to halt and prevent the massive human rights violations ... and to strengthen the U.N. mission's mandate and resources to rigorously monitor abuses by all sides." "The sole emphasis that the resolution puts on the return of refugees to Iraq -- now numbering well over 2 million -- is misplaced. Instead, the council should have addressed the need to find durable solutions to their plight, which includes burden-sharing by the international community, notably through an effective program of resettlement."
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