SENIOR UN IRAQ ENVOY HAILS ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERIM COUNCIL

New York, Aug 18 2004 7:00PM

The senior United Nations envoy to Iraq today welcomed the establishment by the country's National Conference of an Interim Council as a milestone on the road to elections slated for early 2005.

The National Conference concluded following four days of "vigorous debate and deliberation," Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, noted in a statement released in Baghdad. He hailed the "spirit of dialogue" which permeated the gathering.

Mr. Qazi also voiced hope that "this considerable development in the transitional process will lead to further dialogue among all Iraqis and wider political participation."

Earlier today, in a meeting with Iraq's President, Ghazi al Yawer, Mr. Qazi related the Secretary-General's concern over the deteriorating situation in the Shiite Muslim holy city of Najaf, voicing hope for a peaceful solution to the fighting there.

Mr. Qazi also held talks with a number of Iraqi personalities representing several regions who are attending the National Conference before it voted for the Interim Council.

2004-08-18 00:00:00.000