UNAMI FOCUS Voice of the Mission August 2009 News Bulletin - Issue 36 Features UNAMI in Action Staff Corner Governorates Iraqi Words Contact Us
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United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Public Information Office UNAMI FOCUS Voice of the Mission August 2009 News Bulletin - Issue 36 Features UNAMI in Action Staff Corner Governorates Iraqi Words Contact Us In This Issue: SRSG Ad Melkert’s First Address to SRSG Melkert’s First Address the United Nations Security Council to the United Nations Security Council (2) Ramadan in Iraq (3) Ramadan in Kerbala (4) On World Humanitarian Day Let Us Double the Iraq Recov- ery and Reconstruction Efforts (4) Iraq’s Changing Media Land- scape (5) The United Nations in Iraq Marks the First World Humani- tarian Day (7) The United Nations in Baghdad Commemorated the 6th Anni- versary of the Canal Hotel Bombing on August 19, 2003 (8) SRSG Ad Melkert Addressing the Security Council on 4 August 2009 (UN Photo/Jenny Rockett) The Erbil Citadel (9) UN Agencies Active in Iraq Sectors Activities - August 2009 (10) Quotes (10) Iraqi child buys sweets for Ramadan (UN/Photo Zaid Erbil Citadel (UN Photo/Ihsan Barzinji) Fahmi). UNAMI FOCUS - August 2009 drought and agricultural underperformance and SRSG Ad Melkert’s First reluctance of investors to step in—there is a strong case for joining forces to invest in the pro- Address to the United Na- ductivity and social cohesion of the country as a whole”. tions Security Council In asserting Iraq’s sovereignty, and the United Nations active role in the reconciliation and eco- nomic development efforts, the SRSG high- lighted supporting the Iraq National Development Plan (NDP). For example, Mr. Melkert said that evidence shows that Iraq’s healthy future would depend on the diversification of its economy, creating jobs for youth, provision of better ser- vices for its citizens and stronger capacities for those who deliver them. “These are goals that cannot wait for political consensus—rather, they can become a platform for consensus”, he stressed. For Iraq’s economy, the SRSG noted that a shift from the current oil-dependent economy towards a healthy private sector that would encourage SRSG Ad Melkert Addressing the Security Council on 4 August 2009 (UN Photo/Jenny Rockett) entrepreneurship and international investments is central to stability and growth. Furthermore, he said that his priority, among others, is to ensure that the development support By Randa A. Jamal provided by the UN family will fully be aligned with Iraq’s NDP. “The UN Development Assis- Spelling out the challenges that remain and the tance Framework for 2011-2014 will be based on direction the Unite Nations (UN) mission will priorities of the NDP with emphasis on capacity take, under his leadership, the newly appointed building, and a final draft to be completed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General end of the year”. This will enable the Govern- (SRSG) for Iraq Ad Melkert told the UN body on ment of Iraq to co-sign after the national elec- August 4, 2009 that the UN mission in Iraq iden- tions are held in January 2010, moving the UN tified several areas of focus to which the UN will and Iraq into a true economic support and social assist with: supporting national development; development partnership. promoting internal consensus and stability; as- sisting with regional cooperation; fulfilling human The SRSG also focused on shifting the UN’s rights commitments; bolstering international en- humanitarian program from an emergency ap- gagement and increasing United Nations pres- peals based one towards more comprehensive ence as security and resources allow. support to the poor and vulnerable communities, expanding beyond Iraq’s displaced populations. With being optimistic about the improvements “We can only create conditions for return by re- made in Iraq (particularly in terms of security gains and Iraq’s national pride in taking full re- sponsibility for the protection of their cities as of 30 June 2009), SRSG Melkert elaborated on the facts still unfolding: high level of violence and indiscriminate attacks against civilians. “The upcoming period is a true challenge to the Iraqi government and the Iraqi Security Forces to show skill and determination, to gain the trust of the population and to respect fundamental hu- man rights”. At the forefront of his agenda are economic and social conditions. The reasons are quite clear, especially that one third of Iraq’s youth are un- employed. With this background, Melkert views that “…a significant budget deficit combined with The Security Council meeting (UN Photo/Jenny Rockett) debt service and compensation obligations, 2 storing jobs and services where conflict and pov- follow: jobs will be available; streets will be clear; erty have undermined them, and by fostering a schools rejuvenated and communities will be climate conducive to human rights and to social safe. “We in the UN share the motivation. I can healing”. promise them that we will do all in our power over the coming months to gear ourselves to- In addition to supporting the NDP, the SRSG wards this challenge”. emphasized promoting internal consensus and stability, assisting with regional cooperation, ful- filling human rights promises and commitments, Extending UNAMI’s Mandate for 12 and increased UN presence. months In promoting international consensus and stabil- On August 7, 2009, the Security Council ex- ity, he underlined two critical priorities for the tended the Mandate of the United Nations mission: assisting with the preparations for the Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) for the national elections in 2010 and finding a resolu- duration of 12 months, by unanimously adopt- tion for Iraq’s disputed internal areas through the ing resolution 1883 (2009). The Council de- High Level Task Force and the Article 23 Com- cided that the SRSG and UNAMI should con- mittee in Kirkuk. Additionally, UNAMI will assist tinue to pursue their expanded mandate in with constitutional issues particularly revenue- accordance with the request of the Govern- sharing and the Hydrocarbon Law. ment of Iraq and as stipulated in resolutions On regional cooperation, the SRSG emphasized 1770 (2007) and 1830 (2008). engagement on challenging issues dealing with Iraq’s relationship with its neighbours. Amongst them is the normalization of Iraqi-Kuwaiti rela- tions that is a priority. “…to pursue promising dialogue on cross-border initiatives such as bor- der de-mining and border security that will boost Ramadan in Iraq regional confidence and cooperation”, he said. As for fulfilling human rights promises and com- mitments, he highlighted that the UN will focus on improving Iraq’s own capacity to secure legal and constitutional rights of its citizens and to fos- ter a climate of respect for human rights as a way of building trust in the institutions of the rule of law. The SRSG also indicated that the common un- derstanding for any future formula for interna- tional engagement with Iraq needs to be gener- ated by Iraq’s own vision for recovery, reconcilia- tion and development. “The International Com- pact for Iraq has been critical to link Iraqi and international priorities to date; it may now be time Iraqi child buys sweets for Ramadan (UN/Photo Zaid Fahmi). for a next stage – one more naturally integrated into the NDP, with Iraq itself clearly in the lead”, he noted. By Zaid Fahmi In concluding, Mr. Melkert stressed that “strategic acceleration” will be paramount, at this For the first time in 10 years, the holy month of early juncture, to building progress in the political Ramadan began in Iraq on the same day for all sphere and throwing full support behind eco- Muslim communities, which brought joy and nomic growth and social development that would happiness and a sense of unity and spirituality benefit the people, in partnership and constant among them. consultation with Iraqis. However, that joy didn’t improve much the daily “We often talk of ‘ordinary Iraqis’ as the litmus struggle for the majority of Iraqis. “There are test for recovery, but even over these few short shortages in water, power and basic services weeks, I have come to think of them as supplies, security is still shaky, but despite these ‘extraordinary’ Iraqis”, he said. An overwhelming difficulties, we should go back to ourselves and majority have the motivation to see democracy ask for God’s forgiveness”, said Salah Abdul- take root, with the expectation that its fruits will Kareem, an Iraqi lawyer. 3 Abu Ala'a, a car shop owner in west of Baghdad believes in the spirituality of the holy month, but Ramadan in Kerbala worries about the slowdown of business and the subsequently reduced income for him and his customers: “Our business is almost about to By Ali Kamonah-Kerbala’s (Governorate Li- stop, because the time for breaking the fasting is aison Officer) the same as when people buy or sell cars”, he said. People’s concerns in Kerbala during the month of Ramadan do not differ from those in the rest of Iraq. It is “an opportunity to feel humanity against destruction”, said a journalist while a school teacher emphasized that he does not want to think of politics and economics during this holy month. Concerns are still evident: “Prices have jumped up", said a housewife, pointing to the Ministry or Trade who promised to distribute new food items, “but so far we received nothing”. Similar views were echoed by a civil servant Last minute shopping before Iftar (UN/Photo Zaid Fahmi). who said “we pray to God that Iraqi politi- cians would unify their ranks because the lack of it is the reason for Iraq’s crisis”. He Many other people like Mustafa Ibrahim a res- however admitted that one cannot forget taurant owner in central Baghdad agree with about politics and economics even in Rama- Abu Ala'a.