SG: Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen

We”ve had a very good conversation with the Prime Minister, Ibrahim al-Ja”afari. The United Nations has had a long relationship with Iraq. We”ve had difficult times and times of cooperation. We have been working with the government to ensure smooth political transition and we will work with them on the upcoming elections.

We have a clear mandate from the Security Council to do whatever we can to work with the government and people of Iraq to ensure that Iraq takes charge of its own future and develops a stable, peaceful society.

I have assured the Prime Minister that the UN will continue its efforts to help the people of Iraq and that we need to think together what other areas we can assist with after the elections in December.

But let me assure you that, even now, we are doing some activities beyond the political contribution. With our contracting partners, we are implementing projects in the areas of development and humanitarian aid. We are also very active on the human rights side, monitoring the human rights situation. Also, we hope to organize a donors” conference, in February or March, to raise additional resources to support our efforts in Iraq.

And, finally, let me say that I, and the United Nations, have been very concerned about the security situation here, the terrorist attacks and the bombings going on and how they impact the average Iraqi man and woman. We want to work with you and the government to create a secure environment, which would also allow recovery and reconstruction. It would also give people back their streets and their life.

Q: The UN role in Iraq has been rather late. What more can the UN do?

SG: Let me start by correcting you: the UN involvement has not been late. We have been here all along, working quietly and discreetly with the government. We worked on the establishment of the first Governing Council, we were here during the elections in January, we”ve been assisting with the constitutional process with advice and experts and we worked on the referendum. Of course, now we are working on the December elections. You have to remember that sometimes those who are not seen also serve.

We have a capacity for institution building, for development and the recovery area, for human rights and, circumstances permitting, we will be able to do much more.

Q: What is your opinion of the Arab League reconciliation conference?

SG: When I was in Egypt I had the opportunity to discuss this initiative with the Arab League Secretary-General, Amre Moussa. He announced the initiative for this meeting after he spent five days in Baghdad and I understand he had the opportunity to talk to all political parties and groups. I think the idea is that reconciliation is absolutely essential in Iraq. Nobody would argue with that. And the United Nations has always encouraged an open, transparent political process that is inclusive, that will unite the Iraqi people to build their future together. We cannot but support an initiative that is designed to bring the Iraqi people together.