White House Says U.N. Will Play Vital Role in Future of Iraq

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters March 16 that the administration wants the United Nations to play a vital role in the future of Iraq.

"They have played a vital role in the past and they play a role in helping look at the elections and in providing their expertise on the constitutional process," McClellan said of the United Nations' role in Iraq.

The press secretary noted that Secretary of State Colin Powell recently had discussed the possibility of backing a new U.N. Security Council resolution on the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people as the June 30 sovereignty deadline approaches.

McClellan also noted that "it may be appropriate to also update United Nations Security Council Resolution 1511".

Resolution 1511 recognizes the Iraq Governing Council as the interim government of Iraq and calls on the Coalition Provisional Authority to return sovereignty to the Iraqi people as soon as practicable.

"We continue to work together with the United Nations as we move forward in the transfer of sovereignty in Iraq," McClellan said.

Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)