SRSG Activities
From 8 to 14 May, the Special Representative
of the Secretary-General for Iraq Ashraf Qazi visited New York for an in-depth
consultations with the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General,
Mark Malloch Brown, the Acting Chef de Cabinet Alicia Barcena and Under-Secretary-General
(USG) for political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari and USG for Security and Protection
David Veness about UNAMI's work programme for the remainder of 2006. He
also briefed the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan on
the current situation in Iraq and explained UNAMI's work in the country.
He discussed a range of initiatives in support of national reconciliation
and the new Iraqi administration with the US State Department Coordinator
of Iraq Policy, Ambassador Jim Jeffrey. The participants endorsed UNAMI's
efforts in supporting the formation of a government of national unity,
provide capacity building for the Prime Minister's Office and line ministries,
coordinate the contributions of the donor community, provide inputs and
guidance to Iraqi community leaders engaged in the Baghdad Peace Initiative
and encourage the overall effort of the international community in supporting
the new government. UNAMI's current logistical, accommodation and security
arrangements were also reviewed to ensure their compatibility with the
mission's anticipated requirements in the second half of 2006.
On the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, that fell on 3 May, the SRSG expressed his firm support to the Iraqi media and its effort to persevere a professional conduct of its work despite innumerable odds and continuing violence. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), more than 70 journalists have been killed on duty in Iraq since March 2003. Many others have been maimed, detained or threatened while pursuing the right to freedom of expression. "Some of them we had the privilege to know in person," said Mr. Qazi.
The SRSG Ashraf Qazi called on 18 April for the speediest possible formation of a government of national unity to prevent rising sectarian tensions from spiraling out of control after the 17 April prolonged violence in the Adhamiya quarter of Baghdad.
On 23 April, the SRSG congratulated Iraq's new political leadership on the election of its President, Prime Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly 23 April. He called on the elected officials to form a government of national unity. In a message delivered on behalf of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the SRSG voiced hope that this election "leads to the strengthening of democratic institutions and consolidation of the political process."
Continuing his efforts to bring an end to the rising sectarian violence, the SRSG on 19 April discussed with the country's leading Shiite Muslim cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani the need to form a government of national unity as soon as possible. The meeting took place in the Muslim Shiite holy city of Najaf.
The SRSG Ashraf Qazi called on 18 April for the speediest possible formation of a government of national unity to prevent rising sectarian tensions from spiraling out of control after the 17 April prolonged violence in the Adhamiya quarter of Baghdad.
Annan Appoints Jean-Marie Fakhouri as his Deputy Special Representative for Iraq
A long-serving Lebanese official with the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) was on 3 May as Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Deputy Special Representative for Iraq, focusing on humanitarian relief, reconstruction and development in the war-ravaged country.
Jean-Marie Fakhouri comes to the new assignment after serving in what has been termed the world's worst humanitarian crisis - that unfolding in Sudan. There, he served as UNHCR's Director of Operations, a post which required him to direct activities of 840 agency staff in the region addressing the needs of Sudanese refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons.
During his 25-year tenure at UNHCR, Mr. Fakhouri has managed other humanitarian operations and complex emergencies, serving in various capacities both at the Geneva Headquarters and in field locations such as Iraq.
The 55-year old envoy is fluent in English, French and Arabic. He succeeds Staffan de Mistura, who held the post since January 2005.
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