Secretary-General's encounter with Associated Press following Security Council meeting on Iraq (unofficial transcript)

SG: Yes, but that is his opinion. He offered security –he said come in and we will protect you. I'm not sure that he is in a position to offer that security. As long as that security is offered and we are convinced that it is adequate, and it will assure us of operating in a secure environment, we will go in. The only thing keeping us out is the security. It is not a question of choice. And so once the security situation is settled, we will be prepared to go in. He offered security… I don't know how he intends to provide it and I think I'll be happy if he is able to provide it, not just for us but all the others who want to come in and work on reconstruction and possibly invest. So I will be seeing him this afternoon and I will ask him to give me a bit more detail as to how he intends to protect the UN personnel when they get in and we will review it.

AP: The only other thing is, did you get any more clarity… you said you wanted clarity. In the private discussion, did you get any?

SG: No, they are still discussing it. Unfortunately I have another meeting, so the discussions are going on and I will meet him this afternoon and see.