Annan Congratulates New Iraqi President; Offers UN Help In Writing Constitution
Congratulating Iraq's new President Jalal Talabani on his election today, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today stressed
the need for national unity, a goal the United Nations has been seeking with redoubled resolve since elections in
January, and pledged the world body's help in writing a constitution that cements reconciliation.
"The Secretary-General welcomes the commitment of Iraq's new leadership to working towards national unity through
peaceful democratic means," a statement issued by a spokesperson for Mr. Annan said of Mr. Talabani's election, and that
of Vice-Presidents Sheikh Ghazi Al-Yawar and Adil Abdul Mahdi, by the Transitional National Assembly.
"The United Nations stands ready to support the reconstruction of Iraq, including by providing any needed assistance to
its constitution-making process," the statement added. "To that end, the Secretary-General and his Special
Representative, Ashraf Qazi, look forward to working with Iraq's newly-elected leaders and other representatives, with a
view to further promoting dialogue and national reconciliation."
Virtually from the moment polling booths closed in the 30 January elections, from which Iraq's Sunni Arabs largely
stayed away, Mr. Qazi has been meeting almost daily across the political spectrum to ensure that all sectors take part
in the transition process, including the drafting of a new constitution, which is the main task of the new Assembly.
But by not voting, either due to boycott calls, intimidation or fear of violence, Sunni Arabs, the dominant political
force in the regime of ousted Saddam Hussein, have very little presence in the new Assembly, hence Mr. Qazi continual
appeals for a way to ensure the participation of all in writing the constitution and completing the political
transition.
Shiite Arabs, who voted enthusiastically, represent about 60 per cent of the population, while Sunni Arabs and mainly
Sunni Kurds, who also turned out en masse, represent about 20 per cent each.