Iraqis Agree to Return of UN Electoral Team

[radwriter0555]

Ghaith Abdul-Ahad

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi leaders have agreed to invite the United Nations (news - web sites) back to Baghdad to advise the country on its transition to self-rule, Iraqi officials said on Wednesday.

A U.N. electoral team, led by Lakhdar Brahimi, a senior official, went to Iraq (news - web sites) last month to study the feasibility of holding elections and to discuss proposals for an interim government when the U.S.-led occupation ends on June 30.


But in the last few days some Shi'ites in the Iraqi Governing Council, especially former exile leader Ahmed Chalabi, voiced opposition to a U.N. return.


Chalabi, a senior member of the Governing Council who has close ties to the Pentagon (news - web sites), told a news conference the 25-member body was sending a letter that would envisage "an important role for the United Nations in Iraq."


He then told Reuters the "role of the U.N. is to provide counseling assistance in the run-up to the transfer of power, and technical assistance in the elections."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/nm/20040317/wl_nm/iraq_un_dc&e=1&ncid=

[Tempest]

1. It's pretty obvious why Chabali is fighting it

I'd like to see him take power in Iraq.

The U.S. pulls out, Jordan puts a reward on his head and some lucky Iraqis collect by delivering Chabali to Jordanian authorities to serve out his embezzlement conviction.

We can hope anyway.

[stepnw1f]

2. All I have to say is HAGUE