Iraq: UN Envoy Continues Meetings to Facilitate December Elections
New York, Oct 27 2005 3:00PM
Continuing his efforts to ensure an inclusive national dialogue following Iraq’s constitutional referendum, the top
United Nations envoy in the country today discussed the upcoming December elections with Deputy Prime Minster Rowsh
Shaways.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative Ashraf Qazi, who also held talks yesterday with President Jalal
Talabani, reiterated the UN commitment to assist in the electoral process.
His meetings are part of the ongoing discussions with Iraqi Government officials and political leaders in the aftermath
of the referendum, which was approved in the mainly Shiite and Kurdish provinces but rejected in the Sunni Arab
provinces.
Shiites represent about 60 per cent of the population, while Sunni Arabs, who were the dominant political force in
Saddam Hussein’s ousted regime, and Kurds represent about 20 per cent each.
On Monday, Mr. Qazi warned that the degree of political polarization shown by the results of the referendum underscored
the importance of an inclusive national dialogue and of all communities participating in December's general elections.
ENDS