U.N. Boss, Communists Protest U.S. Assault on Terrorist Stronghold in Iraq U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan has warned the United States, Britain and Iraq that a military assault on the Iraqi city of Fallujah could disrupt planned elections. The warning elicited strong reactions. [Meanwhile, United for Peace and Justice, the Marxist anti-war front group, has called on its supporters to "Flood your local media outlets with messages of opposition to the impending assault on Falluja. Write letters to the editor and send in opinion pieces. Call in to your local talk radio stations. Ask reporters if they would like to interview an anti-war activist." It adds, "If the assault on Falluja or any other major military escalation takes place in Iraq, we will need to be as visible and vocal as possible with our antiwar message."] In a letter, dated October 31, Secretary-General Annan says a full-scale offensive against the Iraqi rebel stronghold of Fallujah could undermine efforts to hold nationwide elections in January. The letter sent to President Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi urges the U.S.-led coalition to give more time for dialogue to succeed. U.N. officials Friday refused to comment on the letter. Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast called it a privileged communication. [see excerpts below] "The Secretary General has a pretty wide-ranging correspondence with a large number of world leaders. He regards such correspondence as privileged, and he's not going to be commenting and we're not going to be commenting on any individual item in it or alleged item in it," he said. Mr. Prendergast was speaking at a news briefing at which he and senior U.N. elections expert Carina Perelli outlined plans to beef up the staff assisting Iraqi officials as they prepare for the scheduled January 27 election. But he was vague on when or how many additional staff might be deployed to Baghdad. "The Secretary-General does accept that we need to deploy more people in order to fulfill that role, and we will be deploying those people as circumstances permit," he added. U.N. officials have repeatedly used the phrase "as circumstances permit" to justify their decision to limit the world body's presence in Iraq to a bare minimum. The Secretary-General's warning letter was met with a mixed reaction. A spokesman at Iraq's mission to the United Nations said Ambassador Samir Sumaidy would meet with Mr. Annan Monday to express his country's position. Prime Minister Allawi, in Brussels to attend a European Union summit, said his government intended to liberate Fallujah and bring the rule of law to its people. U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Secretary of State Colin Powell had already phoned the Secretary-General to express his concerns about the letter. Explaining the U.S. position, Mr. Boucher said "frankly, we differ." "The restoration of peace in Fallujah and other towns is very important to them and to us, and it needs to be done soon for the sake of the people who live there, who deserve a chance to participate in the political process, who deserve a chance to participate in the elections, who deserve a chance to participate in Iraq's future and not be held hostage by terrorists and thugs," said Mr. Boucher. Britain's U.N. Ambassador Emyr Jones-Parry was quoted as saying the question of Fallujah is for the Iraqi government to decide. He told the Los Angeles times newspaper "there cannot be an area as big as Fallujah which is allowed to be a base for terrorism." U.S. jets have launched air strikes against the rebel stronghold and roads leading to the city are blocked in preparation for an expected assault by Iraqi and coalition forces. http://www.voanews.com/english/2004-11-05-voa82.cfm Excerpts from Annan letter: Iraq is approaching a decisive moment in its history - the elections which, as you know, are due to be held in three months' time. The United Nations is committed to doing everything possible, as circumstances permit, to support Iraqi efforts to hold credible elections and, more broadly, to assist with Iraq's political transition... I believe that the forthcoming elections are the keystone in a broader process to restore stability and legitimacy in Iraq. If the January 2005 elections are to contribute to this critically important objective, and not to fuel further divisions and instability, it is essential that current efforts to attract a broader spectrum of Iraqis to join the political process should succeed. Persuading elements who are currently alienated from, or sceptical about, the transition process to compete politically is key to creating a political and security context that will inspire confidence among all Iraqis in the process and allow the full participation of all segments of society in the elections... Against this backdrop, I wish to share with you my increasing concern at the prospect of an escalation in violence, which I fear could be very disruptive for Iraq's political transition. I have in mind not only the risk of increased insurgent violence, but also reports of major military offensives being planned by the multinational force in key localities such as Falluja. I wish to express to you my particular concern about the safety and protection of civilians. Fighting is likely to take place mostly in densely populated urban areas, with an obvious risk of civilian casualties... Of course, I understand that there is an imperative need to restore security throughout Iraq. But I equally believe that, ultimately, the problem of insecurity can only be addressed through dialogue and an inclusive political process. The threat or actual use of force not only risks deepening the sense of alienation of certain communities, but would also reinforce perceptions among the Iraqi population of a continued military occupation. I believe that these concerns are particularly relevant in light of the various initiatives that are being taken to address, through political dialogue, the grievances of certain Iraqi constituencies... It seems to me essential that the interim Iraqi government and the coalition should seize such opportunities... I, and all my colleagues at the United Nations Secretariat, want to help. But we need a conducive environment if elections are to produce a positive effect. This is the moment for redoubling efforts to break the cycle of violence and open a new chapter of inclusiveness and national reconciliation... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3987641.stm The Washington Post reported that, "Privately, Bush administration officials said they were livid about the letter, which was sent two days before the U.S. presidential election."              Printer-friendly version Click here to be added to our mailing list.