10 Apr 2012

UN / IRAQ

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Martin Kobler, tells the Security Council that the recent holding of the League of Arab States Summit in Iraq “is a measure of how far Iraq has come after decades of war, dictatorship, and economic hardship”, and expresses concern about the potentially “dangerous spillover effect” of the violence in Syria. UNTV

Posted at: April 10, 2012 2:39 pm

Duration: 02:44

Available in: SD

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STORY: UN / IRAQ
TRT: 2.44
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/ NATS

DATELINE: 10 APRIL 2011, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

SHOTLIST:

FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters

10 APRIL 2011, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. Med shot, delegates
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq:
"Holding the 23rd League of Arab States Summit in Baghdad on the 29th of March is a measure of how far Iraq has come after decades of war, dictatorship, and economic hardship. The historic presence of the Emir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, at the Summit also highlights the significant improvement in relations between Iraq and Kuwait. Iraq now stands to play a positive role in the region as it assumes the chairmanship of the Arab League as a fully independent and sovereign state."    
5. Med shot, delegates
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq:
"Continued violence in Syria is fraught with risks that could have dangerous spill-over effects on Iraq. It could affect the fragile balance of power and increase communal tensions in Iraq. In addition, the violence in Syria has already started to affect Iraqi refugees in Syria. The UN country team has therefore undertaken extensive contingency planning to mitigate possible occurrences."    
7. Med shot, delegates
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq:
"Despite the return of some one million internally displaces Iraqis since 2003, large numbers of individuals continue to be unable or unwilling to return to their places of origin. According to Government figures, there are still more than 1.3 million post 2006 displaced persons, representing more than 220,000 families. Baghdad hosts the largest number. There were 300,000 persons and almost 60,000 families. We can best help restore the rights of those who fled violence in recent years by ensuring their safe return to their homes. All Iraqis, including those displaced, are entitled to live in dignity."
9. Med shot, delegates
10. SOUNDBITE (English) T. Hamid Al-Bayati, Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations:
"The completion of the withdrawal of US the forces from all Iraqi territories in accordance with the schedules agreed upon between Iraq and the United States, according to the status of forces agreement, is a historical victory for the option of negotiations adopted by Iraq in a difficult and sensitive period of its modern history which deals with the issue of the presence of foreign troops in Iraq."
11. Med shot, delegates
12. Wide shot, Security Council

STORYLINE:

The new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Martin Kobler, told the Security Council today (10 April) that the recent holding of the League of Arab States Summit in Iraq was "a measure of how far Iraq has come after decades of war, dictatorship, and economic hardship."

Kobler highlighted that the "historic presence" of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, at the Summit shows "the significant improvement in relations" between the two countries.

He added that Iraq "now stands to play a positive role in the region as it assumes the chairmanship of the Arab League as a fully independent and sovereign state."

The Special Representative noted that Iraq still faces a number of challenges, including the fragile political and security situation.

He also expressed concern about the continued violence in Syria, which "could have dangerous spill-over effects on Iraq" and could affect "the fragile balance of power and increase communal tensions" in the country.

In addition, he said, the violence "has already started to affect Iraqi refugees in Syria."

Kobler pointed out that "large numbers" of displaced Iraqis elsewhere "continue to be unable or unwilling to return to their places of origin."

He said that according to Government figures, there are still more than 1.3 million post 2006 displaced persons, representing more than 220,000 families.

The Special Representative stressed that "all Iraqis, including those displaced, are entitled to live in dignity."

Iraqi Ambassador T. Hamid Al-Bayati, in his address to the Council, said that the completion of the withdrawal of United States (US) forces from Iraq is "a historical victory for the option of negotiations adopted by Iraq in a difficult and sensitive period of its modern history which deals with the issue of the presence of foreign troops in Iraq."

US forces ended combat operations in Iraq on 31 August 2010 and the war was declared officially over on 15 December 2011. A contingent of US troops left the country three days later, although some 4,000 troops still remain in the country.