MIGIRO SEES PROGRESS IN IRAQ COMPACT BUT URGES MORE INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT

MIGIRO SEES PROGRESS IN IRAQ COMPACT BUT URGES MORE INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
New York, Jul 20 2007 7:00PM
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro today said a five-year peace and development plan for Iraq has achieved progress but urged more global action in support of its goals.

Ms. Migiro made her <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2007/dsgsm331.doc.htm">remarks in New York at a meeting on the International Compact with Iraq convened to review its first progress report.

The report "provides a good record of achievements over the past 12 months," Ms. Migiro said, adding that it contains a "very useful account of the situation in Iraq, showing both progress and constraints."

She acknowledged that the security situation remains the key factor. "Given the context of relentless violence in Iraq, the progress achieved thus far under the Compact initiative is remarkable," said Ms. Migiro.

The Deputy Secretary-General pointed to a number of achievements, including progress towards establishing security forces dedicated to serving the country as a whole, legislative actions and the UN-supported constitutional review process.

"While much has been achieved, much more needs to be done to bring Iraq closer to the vision underpinning the Compact," Ms. Migiro cautioned.

"The Compact partnership stems from the commitment of the Government of Iraq to carry out a comprehensive programme of reforms and investments over the next five years. To do so, the Government and people of Iraq require the sustained support of the international community in every way possible," she said.

In a foreword to the report, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki urges the donor community to make good on announced commitments of financial and technical support and debt forgiveness.

"Forgiving Iraqi debt will have an immense impact on the lives of Iraqi citizens," he writes. "It will also strengthen the economy and contribute to the establishment of stability in the country and region."
2007-07-20 00:00:00.000

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