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UNAMI FOCUS Voice of the Mission September 2009 News Bulletin - Issue 37 Features UNAMI in Action Governorates Iraqi Words Contact Us

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UNAMI FOCUS Voice of the Mission September 2009 News Bulletin - Issue 37 Features UNAMI in Action Governorates Iraqi Words Contact Us United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Public Information Office UNAMI FOCUS Voice of the Mission September 2009 News Bulletin - Issue 37 Features UNAMI in Action Governorates Iraqi Words Contact Us In This Issue: A few months into his term as the SRSG to Iraq, A few months into his term as Ad Melkert conducted several missions through- the SRSG to Iraq, Ad Melkert conducted several missions out the country and plans for more throughout the country and plans for more (2) Looking Towards The Next Iraqi Parliamentary Elections: January 2010 (3) SRSG Ad Melkert Visits Iraqi Kurdistan Region (5) Iraqi Youth participate in the celebration of the International Day of Peace in New-York (6) Secretary-General's remarks to student observance of the In- ternational Day of Peace (7) Iraqi Children: The Future (8) Eid Al-Fitr in Iraq (9) Uruk, Mesopotamia’s first city, SRSG Ad Melkert Visiting a Voting Registration Center in Salihya (UN photo) neglected (10) UN Agencies Active in Iraq Sectors Activities* September 2009 (11) Quotes from Iraqis (11) SRSG Ad Melkert meeting President Barzani (UN Iraqi children having fun riding the carousel (UN photo/Sabah Abdulrahman) Photo/ZaidFahmi) UNAMI FOCUS - September 2009 A few months into his term as the SRSG to Iraq, Ad Melkert con- ducted several missions throughout the country and plans for more and ways of moving forward. In Kirkuk, an area rich in resources, he observed “the visible need for investment in housing and infrastructure.” He also noted that, “polarization and stalemate were evident”. He talked with politicians about power-sharing and resources for improving the lives of the city’s residents. Although construction and economic activities are noticeable in Erbil, the SRSG cautioned, “There are places in the world where construc- tion is booming, but this does not necessarily SRSG Ad Melkert with Provincial Council Members in Mosul. (UN Photo/ Rick Bajornas) reflect that an economy, as a whole, is growing sustainably”. Yet, he optimistically added, “With no doubt, stronger governance and increased By Randa Jamal stability and security are the road to higher in- vestments, more private initiatives and growth It has only been a few months since SRSG Ad and development”. Mr.Melkert will also visit Na- Melkert first arrived in Baghdad. During this jaf next month, where he will talk with key politi- time, he has met with his UNAMI and UN Coun- cal leaders about key challenges. try Team members and held meetings with Iraqi leaders, including Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Upon his arrival, Mr. Melkert instantly showed readiness and commitment to assist the Iraqi people and government. Accordingly, Mr. Melkert has visited several Iraqi cities to meet people and learn about the issues and needs that most urgently require the UN’s attention and expertise. In Mosul, a city ripped by violence and turmoil, the SRSG met minority community leaders and politicians to talk about the situation in their city, Arab-Kurdish relations, SRSG Ad Melkert with KRG premiership nominee Barham Salih in Erbil (UN Photo / Sabah Abdulrahman) Mr. Melkert visits did not only focus on political discussions but also on the electoral process. He visited voter registration centers and met with civil society organizers and volunteers, such as in the area of Salhiya in Baghdad. There he noticed how seriously elections are taken in Iraq—a pre-condition for a good techni- cal process. He said he was impressed by the sincere motivation of those present, despite the heat and lack of facilities. SRSG Ad Melkert with the Chair of the Kirkuk Provincial Council, Rizgar This kind of civil organization and commitment Ali in Kirkuk (UN Photo/Rick Bajornas) paves the way for the national elections of Janu- 2 Looking Towards The Next Iraqi Parliamentary Elections: January 2010 PIO Analysis Almost immediately after the results of the last Iraqi provincial elections were announced earlier SRSG Ad Melkert Visiting a Voting Registration Center in Salihya (UN this year, Iraq’s political machinations, parties photo) and personalities moved into high gear, tapping ary 2010, though Mr. Melkert grimly noted the partners and structuring platforms for running in destabilizing attacks of 19 August 2009. He said the next national parliamentary elections slated the response of the Iraqi government to these for January 2010. The feeling on all fronts is that atrocities, to find ways to ensure that violence the elections will be held on time, whether or not instigated by either internal or external influence an election law is passed by the Iraqi Council of does not prevent progress, was understandable. Representatives (CoR) by then. Some old alli- ances introduced both new blood and reforms, Indeed, Mr. Melkert affirmed that the forthcom- while new ones altogether came into being or ing elections would open up the potential to ad- morphed from pre-existing political entities. dress economic and political issues, especially via regional cooperation. He mentioned the talks As before, however, Prime Minister Nouri al- between Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Iraqi Maliki, remains at the center, and most of the President Talabani and Foreign Affairs Minister political jockeying is being aligned in terms of Zibari held in New York in September 2009, what to do, and how to organize the electoral which highlighted support for a regional ap- campaigns in relation to him. proach, and reiterated, “UNAMI’s mandate stipu- lates that we support the Iraqi government to Outside the main political alliances that repre- strengthen ties with neighbors and in boosting sent the political majority in Iraq, there are two regional cooperation”. main groups of the “minority” politicians. There are the provincial parties that want to gain seats In reflecting on his time spent thus far in Iraq, in Baghdad including Anbar’s tribal and political the SRSG also contends that strengthening the figures that emerged in recent years. What was economy in ways that bring social impact is nec- once the Anbar Awakening has now evolved essary and the Iraqi government now needs to into three main parties led by three political fig- work strategically with the UN and the World ures: The Anbar Awakening Council led by Bank. However, economic progress may be Sheikh Ahmed Abu-Risha, the Anbar Salvation contingent on security and democratic progress. Council led by Sheikh Hamid al-Hayes, and the He remarked that cooperation across the politi- Anbar Salvation National Front led by Sheikh cal spectrum helps parliament to function prop- Hatim al-Suleiman. After the highly contested erly, strengthens administration and serves gen- 2009 provincial elections, all three leaders are eral interests. UNAMI can support these objec- now looking for national platforms. Sheikh al- tives by assisting the IHEC in holding a free and Hayes has joined the newly reorganized Islamic fair election and facilitating dialogue amongst Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) led Iraqi National various groups, such as between Arabs and Alliance (INA). Sheikh al-Suleiman has aligned Kurds. himself with the Banners of Iraq list that includes Mr. Melkert will be forging relations with his Iraqi Karbala’s Yousef al-Habboubi, who won the counterparts to prepare for relevant initiatives most votes last January, but only got one seat, and anticipates a successful national elections because he ran alone under his own name. Abu process and further economic and security pro- -Risha, on the other hand according to news gress. accounts is in negotiations with PM al-Maliki for 3 joining in alliance. All three are thus seeking ties Fitr holiday) a new talk is emerging suggesting with the majority parties and coalitions to ensure that former PM Iyad Allawi is in serious discus- a stronger chance of victory. sions with the newly formed INA headed by Am- mar al-Hakim, rumors persist that a new coali- In Ninewa, al-Hadba’, another new party, has tion of Saleh al-Mutlaq and Iyad Allawi would managed to grasp the political reins. It came to represent ‘Iraqi Arab Nationalists’. They appeal power running on a platform purporting to op- to former regime elements and supporters, and pose Kurdish prominence and promote Iraqi na- promote Iraqi nationalism and secularism. Inte- tionalism and the provision of better services. rior Minister Jawad Bolani, who is an independ- Now the party is planning for the national elec- ent Shiite was supposed to run with them, but tions not only in Ninewa, but also in Salah al- he may join the Shiite National Alliance instead. Din, Baghdad, Anbar, Wasit and Tamim; all of Allawi still has a chance of becoming Prime Min- them with large Sunni populations and three ister as well. with disputed territories between the Kurdistan Region Government (KRG) and the federal gov- On the majority ‘Shiite’ side, there are two main ernment. Wasit, however, is a majority Shiite coalitions running in opposition to each other. province. The speculation is that they would First is the new INA; it is a revived version of the reach out to PM al-Maliki because of their per- United Iraqi Alliance that won the most seats in ceived commonality with him. parliament in the 2005 elections. The new alli- ance is made up of ISCI and the Sadrists’ The other group is made up of prominent Trend, former PM Ibrahim al-Jaafari’s National ‘minority’ politicians already in power in Bagh- Reform Party, the Dawa-Iraq Party, and as men- dad. These include CoR member and prominent tioned earlier, two Sunnis, Sheikh al-Hayes of political personality, Saleh al-Mutlaq, Vice Presi- Anbar and Khalid Abd al-Wahab al-Mulla from dent Tariq al-Hashemi, the Iraqi Islamic Party Basra. The newly formed INA faced a major set- (IIP) and its Accordance Front list.
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