COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY BRIEFING
WITH LAKHDAR BRAHIMI, UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL ENVOY

LOCATION: BAGHDAD, IRAQ

DATE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2004

MR. BRAHIMI: (Speaks in Arabic.)

Good afternoon, everyone. I don't think I have much to say by way of introduction, except that this has been a very, very busy week for us. We've met a very large number of people in Iraq -- still, by far, not enough -- would have liked to see many, many more. Unfortunately, there is only 24 hours in a day.

I think you know the reason why we are here. A request has been made by the Governing Council, the CPA and a lot of others that the United Nations helps find a way of moving forward the political process in Iraq. And the secretary-general has accepted and asked us, myself and five other colleagues, to come to Iraq and talk to people here and find out what the facts were, so that he can determine how best the U.N. can help, if the U.N. can do so.

I think that we have gathered enough facts. On the technical side, my colleague Carina Perelli will stay a couple of days, longer after we leave, to complete the technical data, collect the technical data, and also complete some discussions with some people in the university and political parties and organizations and elsewhere.

By the middle of next week, we'll be in New York, and we hope we'll be in a position to tell the secretary-general what we have found out. And I hope that soon after that he will be able to communicate his advice to the parties here, the Governing Council and the CPA.

So this is the -- what -- I mean, by way of introduction. Yes?

Q (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

Q (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

Q (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

STAFF: (Off mike.)

Q Mariam al-Atria (sp), Radio Sawa.

MR. BRAHIMI: Radio --

Q Sawa.

STAFF: Sawa.

Q Sawa. (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

STAFF: The gentleman in -- yes, with your hand up. You, sir.

Q (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

STAFF: (Off mike.) Just a second. (Off mike.)

Q (Name and affiliation off mike.) I just wanted to know -- (off mike) --

(Cross talk.)

Q Microphone --

Q (Off mike) -- did Ayatollah Sistani signal that he would agree to holding election after turning sovereignty -- after June 30th? And if so, who would sovereignty be turned over to; to the Governing Council or what? Thank you.

MR. BRAHIMI: I think that these two issues are certainly not unconnected, but they are separate. I think that all Iraqis would like sovereignty to return earlier rather than later, and that Ayatollah Sistani shares this view with everybody else. It's another issue of organizing elections.

And a third issue, if you like, is to whom sovereignty is going to be handed over. I think discussions are still going on on this third issue. And he has his views, who I'm sure he would express them much better than I can on his behalf. I don't think a decision has been taken on that issue. That is still being discussed.

We are now working on what are the requirements, the minimum requirements for a reasonably credible election. I think we agree with everybody here that I think -- I hope that soon Iraq would be able to organize perfectly -- perfect elections, but I think most Iraqis will settle with a little less than that, but not too much less, because otherwise the election would not be credible.

STAFF: The gentleman in the first row with the white --

Q (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: No.

Q (Continuing in Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

Q (Continuing in Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

STAFF: The lady in the third row.

Q Barbara Plett from the BBC. Just to clarify, are you saying that elections will take place after the hand-over of sovereignty? And if so, what is your impression of the earliest point that they could be held?

MR. BRAHIMI: I'm not saying that. I think the secretary-general will say that.

Q What is your impression so far from the Iraqis you've spoken to?

MR. BRAHIMI: My -- yeah, you know, I think -- I don't want to have impressions. We are, as I said, still completing our endeavor. What I think we have agreed to with everybody -- what I think everybody has agreed to is that, you know, elections are terribly important, but holding reasonably credible elections is also extremely important, and that the date of the elections have got to be consistent with this requirement. I'm sorry I can't be more specific than that because, you know, the situation is still not yet -- I mean, we haven't completed our work.

Thank you.

STAFF: The gentleman in the back with the white shirt, please. Yes, go ahead.

Q Mohammed (sp) --

(Cross talk.)

Q Mr. Brahimi --

MR. BRAHIMI: It's okay.

Q -- Sho Beppu (ph) from NHK TV Japan. Nice to see you again after two years ago in Kabul. Mr. Sistani, of course everyone understands of the importance of the elections as soon as possible, but latter part of his request was to do it before June 16. Did he agree to drop that part of request, and did he accept that it could be later than that date?

MR. BRAHIMI: I think we are -- yes, go ahead.

Q And the second question is, after your being here, after seeing the security situation here, what is impression that the U.N. -- they expatriate staff could come back to here? When do you think you are able to come back here?

MR. BRAHIMI: Yeah. On the first one, I think that Ayatollah Sistani I think agrees with me that the -- and I think this probably was his view all along -- that preparing correctly elections is important. And I think we have agreed that we must be certain that these elections are -- we have also, I think -- he and I also agree that it is the government that comes out of the ballot box that is going to take the important decisions for the future of Iraq. About the dates, you know, again, you must ask him.

Q Second question --

MR. BRAHIMI: And second question about security and the United Nations. Yes, you know, the 19th of August is something many of us will never forget, not only people like Ahmad who were here, but even those of us who have not. The secretary-general -- you might have seen the reports that have been published following the 19th of August attack on the United Nations -- I think demand that some important security measures must be in place for the U.N. to be able to come back. We've been discussing with the Governing Council, with the CPA, this issue. They are looking into it, and they will be coming back to us. Because we want to come back; the secretary-general would like to resume as many of our activities as possible. So do everybody in this country, from what I heard. But I think security is important. And for the moment, I think a lot of work needs to be done.

Q (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

Q (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

STAFF: Could I make an appeal? One question each, please. (In Arabic.)

Q (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

Q (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

Q Mr. Brahimi, Rajiv Chandrasekaran. I'm from The Washington Post. During your time here, have you come to any conclusions as to which group or to whom sovereignty should revert between June 30th and whenever elections can be held? This is the -- you know, the third issue that you referred to a second ago. You obviously met with the Governing Council today. Some members there feel that they should receive the sovereignty. The CPA has a plan to conduct caucuses. What sort of preliminary conclusions are you going to back to New York with, at this point?

MR. BRAHIMI: I think the only thing I know is that we are talking about something provisional, something that is not going to last very long, something that is not going to have very extensive powers. But I'm afraid that I haven't come to any conclusions there; whereas I think we have made a lot of work on the question of elections, and as I think I told you, before a week or 10 days, we will be able to give a view on that.

On the authority that will receive the sovereignty on the 30th of June, discussions are still going on and the consensus is not there yet.

STAFF: The lady -- (inaudible) -- go ahead.

Q Yes, Elizabeth Farmer, CBS News. This is a little bit of a follow up question. The plan as it was originally suggested when the transfer of power was set up, which is quite a complicated formula of appointments through regional councils (on ?). Have you pretty much decided that's a non-starter?

MR. BRAHIMI: You know, we don't decide those things. But I think the people who put it together realize that it needs at the very least to be improved considerably. And I think they have said publicly that they are very, very open to looking to other alternatives.

Q How do you think it should be improved? How?

MR. BRAHIMI: I don't know.

STAFF: Thank you.

Q (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

Q (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

STAFF: Lady in the white t-shirt there on the right. You had your hand up. Go ahead.

Q (Name inaudible) -- from the BBC. If the caucus system of choosing a new government is abandoned, what system will you be selecting?

MR. BRAHIMI: I don't know. I think, you know, it's not a question of selecting a system, it is question of -- this is a political issue that needs a little bit more discussion between the political parties.

STAFF: (Off mike.)

Q (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

Q (Continuing in Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

Q (Continuing in Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: No. No.

Q (Continuing in Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

STAFF: (Off mike.)

Q Mr. Brahimi, Jim Sciutto with ABC-News. Could you describe for us what, exactly, a "reasonably credible election" is? It sounds like that involves some sacrifice, whether it's proceeding without a true census, proceeding without full suffrage. A reasonably credible election sounds like a not-fully credible election. So can you tell us what you're talking about?

MR. BRAHIMI: I'm afraid I can't. And it will take about three hours to describe that process to you. So I'm sure you'll forgive me if I don't do that now.

Q Well, I think in the simplest terms, Iraqis deserve some description of what they should expect in terms of an election.

MR. BRAHIMI: I'm afraid I can't do it now.

STAFF: (Off mike.)

Q (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

STAFF: (Off mike.)

Q (In Arabic.) I'm here.

MR. BRAHIMI: Where are you? Ah, okay.

Q Yes. (In Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

Q (Continuing in Arabic.)

MR. BRAHIMI: (In Arabic.)

STAFF: The lady in black -- (off mike).

Q Deborah Amos, National Public Radio. I have a large question and a small question.

MR. BRAHIMI: My goodness.

Q Will the United Nations --

STAFF: (Off mike.)

MR. BRAHIMI: I beg your pardon?

Q Will the United Nations now be involved every step of the way as we go from here to the elections?

And two, did the Sunni group, the clerics that you met last night, are they willing, this new political organization, are they willing to participate and come either into the Governing Council or take a role between now and the time of the elections?

MR. BRAHIMI: Look, from -- to the first question, yes, I think so, although my own -- you know, what I can -- I am responsible only for this week. But I think that the United Nations would like to be present in every step of the way from now on.

Your second question; yes, I think the Sunni group that we met yesterday are very eager to participate. I think it's no secret that -- I know that after we left them they went to a press conference, and I believe they must have said that they don't believe that elections can be held before the 30th of June. But they -- you know, like everybody else, they are not against the principle of elections.

STAFF: The gentleman in the blue shirt.

Q (Name inaudible) -- Corriere Della Sera from Italy. Good afternoon, Mr. Brahimi.

MR. BRAHIMI: Good afternoon to you. I hope I'll be better this time than last time we spoke.

Q Than before. Yes. I hope so, yes.

Just a short question. Is there still a possibility the U.N. will not come back to this country after -- when you come back to the secretary-general, would you -- is it possible that he will say no after he hears what you have to say? And secondly, do you see any real danger of a civil war in this country?

MR. BRAHIMI: Yeah, it's a very short question and a very simple problem that you are asking. And two questions, actually.

So the first one, I don't think that the secretary-general will say that we don't want to go back to Iraq. The secretary-general would say that we would like to have, as early as possible, the conditions that will allow us to come back and develop to the full possible extent our activities in Iraq.

On your second question -- and I don't know whether you asked it seriously or not -- I hope that -- I think -- I told the Governing Council this morning that I am -- from what I hear, I am very optimistic because everybody seems to be conscious that the country is in trouble, that there are problems, difficulties, and everybody says that they would like to reach a consensus, and so on.

But I also said that I am a little bit disturbed and I am a little bit uneasy because there are very, very serious dangers. And I have appealed to them, and through this press conference today I would like to appeal to every Iraqi in every part of Iraq to be conscious of the fact that civil wars are not started by people through a decision that, you know, tomorrow we are going to start a civil war. Civil wars happen because people are reckless, because people are selfish, because groups think more of themselves than they do of the benefit of their country. I have said also to my friends in the Governing Council and all the people I have met. I was involved in a little bit in Lebanon. If there is one country in this part of the world that nobody ever thought would be the theater of a civil war, it is Lebanon, and yet we have seen what happened. I myself come from a country where, again, nobody thought that there would be a civil war and there was one. So I have appealed to the -- everybody I have seen to be careful.

STAFF: This gentleman has been patient. Please go ahead.

Q Eddie Sanders from the L.A. Times. You talked about some of the minimum requirements needed before elections. Could you give us an idea of what are the key obstacles, the things that need to be done in Iraq today before you could have elections, for example?

MR. BRAHIMI: Before you have elections?

Q Before you have elections. And how would you get around things like a voter roll and some of those issues that people have said?

MR. BRAHIMI: You see, the most important factor that you need to satisfy before you start talking about dates for an election is the legal framework. You know, there are some very simple questions that people don't seem to think of. Whom do you want to elect? What kind of electoral system do you want? What kind of administrative system do you have? I mean, are the district boundaries settled, there's no problem there? Do you want to have a, you know, British system first, as proposed, continental European system? What kind of system do you want? These has to be -- these are the ABC that you need to have that.

And there is, you know, a host of other issues that have been discussed. The role -- people say that the ration cards are a good enough system. Great. It needs to be looked at. How long will it take to look at that system and ascertain what is being said, that it is a good system? How do you protect the system against fraud? Because at the same time, it is said that there is -- there was a lot of fraudulent cards, that there are a lot of people who didn't have that -- did not have these cards. How long does it take to issue cards to those who do not have -- and make sure that those fraudulent cards are not going around?

So these are just some of the issues that need to be addressed in this election, as in any other.

STAFF: Mr. Brahimi, if I may just say that we have about six or seven minutes left, and I have 10 requests to ask you questions. If I may ask you, please, to make your questions short --

MR. BRAHIMI: And I make my answers short! That's his -- that's what he's meaning. That's what he's --

STAFF: I can't tell you that. And limit yourselves, please, to one question.

We'll go back to the left side of the room now, the gentleman -- (speaks in Arabic).

(Lengthy exchange in Arabic.)

Q Julia Buckley (sp), NPR. Are elections contingent on a U.N. presence?

MR. BRAHIMI: I think, in the absolute, not necessarily.

Q But did the parties tell you they wanted to have U.N. observers here for the elections to be legitimate?

MR. BRAHIMI: Very much so. Very much. Very, very much. Very much so. I think that -- I doubt whether we have met anybody who didn't say that they wanted a prominent role for the United Nations in every stage of the electoral process.

Thank you very, very much indeed, again, for your patience.

STAFF: Thank you very much.

MR. BRAHIMI: And I'm sorry if I didn't satisfy all your curiosity. Thank you very much.

Q Are you leaving today?

STAFF: Thank you. Please remain seated until the delegation has left the room. Thank you very, very much.

I'm sorry. We can't answer that question.

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