John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today warned that a lack of UN involvement in post-war Iraq would threaten chances for peace.

“The United Nations must play key role in the future of Iraq”

Following a recent visit to Washington and New York to discuss the humanitarian situation in Iraq, John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West stressed that for peace and reconstruction to follow the war, the United Nations must be at the heart of any future plans for Iraq.

John believed that the Prime Minister, when answering questions to the House of Commons on the 2nd of April was correct to insist on the final government being lead by Iraqis but failed to clarify the nature of the interim government, revealing a lack of consensus between Washington and Westminster.

John was also at the launch of the U.N. aid agencies appeal for emergency funds over the next six months and was present when the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations announced that the Oil-for-Food resolution had been passed to allow $8bn dollars to be released to address humanitarian needs.

“This represents a step forward in the reestablishment of UN authority in this crisis. It shows that consensus can be achieved. Nations must build on this progress and come together to ensure that the post conflict settlement in Iraq provides hope for the future.

ENDS

Press release

2-04-03 “Peace threatened by lack of UN involvement in post-war Iraq” - Barrett

2-04-03
“Peace threatened by lack of UN involvement in post-war Iraq” - Barrett