SG: Good Afternoon,

During my stay in Baghdad I had a chance to speak to the [Acting] President, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and several political leaders. I have touched base with all the main groups.

Iraq is going through a critical political transition and we, the United Nations, have been working side by side with the government throughout this process. In fact, our engagement goes back to the creation of the Governing Council, the first elections, the preparation of the electoral law, the referendum and now we are working with them on the elections in December.

This political transition process is extremely important. It must be a process that is inclusive, transparent and takes into account concerns of all groups.

This is why I am also encouraged by the Arab League initiative to arrange a reconciliation conference. Obviously, it will have to be very carefully prepared and we support that initiative.

I also had a chance to visit with my own team, the UN team, who is doing an extraordinary job in very difficult circumstances. They have good morale and they are working hard and are determined to continue their work.

And I want to pay a special tribute to my Special Representative, Mr. Ashraf Qazi, for the wonderful work and leadership he is providing to the team here.

And of course, to the Deputy Special Representative, Staffan de Mistura, covering our base in Amman and doing lots of work here with Mr. Qazi across the border and through contractors.

A word about terrorism. This region, and particularly Iraq, has suffered too much from terrorist attacks. Even those who are at a distance feel the pain and the misery that is being inflicted on families and innocent citizens. I understand that today there has been a bomb in Baghdad where five people have died. We also know what happened in Amman a few days ago and I?m afraid we have not seen the end yet. This behaviour, this terrorism, this brutal behaviour, is absolutely unacceptable behaviour. No ideology, no cause can justify the killings or maiming of innocent civilians. It is murder. It is terrorism pure and simple.

I'll now take two questions.

Q: This is the first time you have been back to Baghdad since August 19, 2003. What are your feelings? What are your thoughts?

SG: That is a simple but difficult question. As I walked in to our building I stopped at the monument erected for my dear friends and colleagues who died here in August 2003. Great friends, wonderful colleagues, the best of the United Nations who had come to help. That was their sole purpose. They carried no guns, they were not soldiers, they had not come to harm anyone. Their lives cut short in a brutal manner.

As difficult as it is, we need to continue with our work and we will do whatever we can to stabilize Iraq and to bring peace and prosperity. That is the best way to honor their memory.

We all have a responsibility to help stabilize Iraq. It is in the interest of the Iraqis, interest of the region and interest of the whole world, so no one can be a by-stander.

Q: This week we have had UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Did you coordinate the timing of their visit with them? How did you decide which Iraqis leaders to see today?

SG: First of all, it was a pure coincidence. I had wanted to come for quite some time. My colleagues and friends work here and I had always wanted to come see how they are doing to encourage them and thank them for the sacrifice there are making.

There was no coordination but I knew that [UK] Foreign Secretary [Jack] Straw was coming but [US] Secretary [Condoleezza] Rice's visit was a complete surprise.

Regarding the decision of who I saw, I have a team here and a Special Representative who is in touch with all political groups and community groups and was able to put together a group of people that I should see and I can get you a list later.*

Thank you very much.