STATEMENT

by H.E. Ambassador Le Luong Minh, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam,

at the Security Council’s Debate on  “The situation concerning Iraq”

New York, 26 February 2009

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Mr. President,

On behalf of the Vietnamese Delegation, I would like to thank the Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Mr. Staffan de Mistura, for presenting the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Iraq and the work of the United Nations there. I welcome the participation of Ambassador Al Bayati of Iraq and thank him for his statement.

Mr. President,

During the reporting period, there have been many significant positive developments in the political, security and reconstruction fields in Iraq, including the overall low levels of violence and criminality, the improved capability of the Iraqi Security Forces, and the continued return of internally displaced persons and refugees. We are particularly heartened by the successful holding of the provincial elections on 31 January 2009 in 14 out of 18 Iraq’s Governorates. We share the hope that Iraqi leaders will grasp this opportunity to build a momentum towards national dialogue and reconciliation. We are also encouraged by the steadily increasing international diplomatic presence, primarily of regional countries, in Iraq and the Iraqi Cabinet’s decision to allocate $25 million towards the construction of the UNAMI integrated headquarters in Baghdad, considering this as another indication of the country’s enhanced self-confidence and strengthened international status.

We, however, remain concerned about the pertinent challenges that Iraq continues to face. The rocket attack against the UN facility in the International Zone in November 2008, the disturbing acts of violence in the weeks prior to the provincial elections, and the bloody attacks on Shi’a pilgrims early January and mid February 2009 are indications of a fragile situation. At the same time, the growing unemployment rate, the widening imbalances in social service delivery and the deteriorated living conditions of the most vulnerable groups, the vast majority of whom are women, children, refugees and internally displaced persons, are causes of concern. This situation may become even more serious in the context of the global financial crisis and the fluctuations in the price of oil.

Mr. President,                                  

Now that the governorate council elections have been successfully organized, the months ahead will be crucial for Iraq to consolidate the progress and lay solid foundations for longer-term gains. To this end, the quest for a durable peace and security in Iraq should be a nationally-led process which requires a harmonious combination of various parameters and united efforts. Throughout this process, the promotion of dialogue and national reconciliation across political, ethnic and sectarian lines continues to play a defining role. For progress in the security and political fields to take roots, economic and social reconstruction must move ahead. We call on all parties in Iraq to put aside their partisan interests and jointly shoulder a national agenda towards national unity, development and prosperity.

        Mr. President,

We commend the efforts undertaken by the UN staff in assisting the Iraqi Government in strengthening institutions for local governorates, advancing political dialogue and confidence-building, resolving the status of Kirkuk and other disputed internal boundaries, extending electoral assistance, supporting the constitutional review process, and facilitating the regional dialogue in accordance with Security Council resolutions 1770 (2007) and 1830 (2008). Together with the extension of UNAMI’s provincial outreach and the establishment of other UN agencies’ permanent presence in Iraq, these efforts contribute to the strengthening of the United Nations’ role in the development of a stable, secure and prosperous Iraq as enshrined in the United Nations Assistance Strategy for Iraq 2008-2010. At the same time, Iraq’s constructive engagement with regional countries and the international community is critical to the country’s long-term stabilization and reconstruction. We welcome Iraq’s participation in such broader frameworks as the International Compact for Iraq, the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, the United Nations Development Group Iraq Trust Fund, the Paris Declaration principles, the expanded ministerial meetings, as well as the regional working groups on energy, refugees and security. We support and look forward to contributing to the promotion of collective efforts to assist Iraq in each of its respective phases of development.

I thank you, Mr. President.