Annan meets US, GC on Iraq; Iraqis protest for election

By: Hamoud Kufi/ Nabil Raza

BAGHDAD/NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan held meeting with Iraq's US governor Paul Bremer and members of the US-appointed Iraqi Governing Council at UN headquarters in New York Monday hours after tens of thousands of Iraqis took to streets of Baghdad to demand early elections.

Speaking at a news conference, Annan told reporters the United States and Iraqi leaders have asked the United Nations to send a team to Iraq to advise on the feasibility of quick elections or alternatives in selecting a new Iraqi government.

Annan, who delivered the news after meeting with the Iraqi Governing Council and US occupation authorities, said he had not yet decided on such a 'technical' team and further discussions are necessary.

He had invited the coalition and the Governing Council to meet to clarify the job they would like the world body to do during Iraq's transition. He sought “greater clarity” about a possible UN role in Iraq during the meeting.

Earlier, an estimated up to 100,000 protestors marched about three miles to the University of al-Mustansariyah in Baghdad where a representative of Ayatullah As-Sistani delivered a speech he said was directed at Annan, the US-led occupation authority and its Iraqi allies.

As-Sistani has rejected a US formula for transferring power through a provisional legislature selected by 18 regional caucuses, insisting on direct elections instead. Bremer maintains that elections cannot be organized in time to meet the June 30 deadline, given the ongoing violence and lack of voter rolls.

Meanwhile, an advance team of more than 30 Japanese soldiers crossed into southern Iraq on Monday.

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