U.N. Team in Iraq to Settle Vote Question

[CatWoman]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A U.N. team began its mission in Iraq (news - web sites) on Saturday to study prospects for early legislative elections opposed by the United States but demanded by the powerful Shiite Muslim clergy.

The Sunni Muslim president of Iraq's Governing Council, however, insisted the U.N. findings will not be binding on the Iraqi leadership, reflecting divisions among Iraqis over how to restore an independent government by July.


U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (news - web sites) announced the arrival of the team, saying experts would begin "intensive consultations" with Iraqi leaders and members of the U.S.-led coalition and listen to the views of all Iraqi constituencies.


"I hope the work of this team will help resolve the impasse over the transitional political process leading to the establishment of a provisional government for Iraq," Annan said in a statement issued in New York.


Annan did not say how long the team, led by Carina Perelli of Uruguay, would remain in Iraq, but a senior Iraqi official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said members would be here about 10 days.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/iraq

[daleo]

1. I thought the U.N. was irrelevant

Not that I think Bremer/Chalabi are actually interested in an honest election.