Iraq Envoy Discusses Concerns About Voting Process

UN's Top Iraq Envoy Discusses Concerns About Voting Process With Kirkuk Local Official

New York, Oct 9 2005 10:00PM

The senior United Nations envoy to Iraq today discussed concerns about the upcoming constitutional referendum with a local official from Kirkuk.

One day after meeting with delegations representing Turkman and Arab communities in the area, Ashraf Qazi, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative, conveyed their concerns to Hamid Majid Mousa, a member of the Transitional National Assembly Constitutional Committee and Chair of Kirkuk Normalization Committee.

Mr. Qazi discussed with Mr. Mousa the Arab and Turkman delegations' worry about the excessive numbers of newly registered voters in Kirkuk and the surrounding areas, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).

Mr. Mousa updated the UN envoy on the situation in Kirkuk, and agreed with him on the need for vigorous measures to ascertain the veracity of the vote in the 15 October Referendum on the Draft Constitution, as well as elections to be held in December. Both men reiterated the importance of adequate political representation for the various communities.

Mr. Qazi restated UNAMI's continued commitment to upholding internationally accepted norms of human rights and ensuring a free, inclusive and transparent political process.

ENDS

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