Iraq war ‘a real disaster’

UNITED NATIONS – UN chief Kofi Annan said most Middle East leaders he recently conferred with considered the Iraq war “a real disaster,” but felt the United States should not pull out just yet.

“Most of the leaders I spoke to felt that the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath have been a real disaster for them … They believe it has destabilised the region,” Annan said Wednesday during a wide-ranging press conference on his recent trip abroad.However, he added that many of the same leaders wanted the Americans to stay in Iraq until the security situation improved, pointing out that “having created the problem they cannot walk away.”Other leaders, notably in Iran, felt that “the presence of the US is a problem and that the US should leave, and if the US were to decide to leave they would help them,” Annan said.”So in a way the US finds itself in a position where it cannot stay and it cannot leave,” he said.Reaction from the White House was swift.”I’m not going to engage in a further disputation with the secretary general of the United Nations, but we disagree with the characterisation,” White House spokesman Tony Snow said, while acknowledging the “sectarian violence” in Iraq.Annan, who returned Friday from a 12-day tour of the Middle East, said he was encouraged by the seriousness with which Lebanon and Israel were pressing ahead with implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 aimed at shoring up last month’s truce.Nampa-AFPThey believe it has destabilised the region,” Annan said Wednesday during a wide-ranging press conference on his recent trip abroad.However, he added that many of the same leaders wanted the Americans to stay in Iraq until the security situation improved, pointing out that “having created the problem they cannot walk away.”Other leaders, notably in Iran, felt that “the presence of the US is a problem and that the US should leave, and if the US were to decide to leave they would help them,” Annan said.”So in a way the US finds itself in a position where it cannot stay and it cannot leave,” he said.Reaction from the White House was swift.”I’m not going to engage in a further disputation with the secretary general of the United Nations, but we disagree with the characterisation,” White House spokesman Tony Snow said, while acknowledging the “sectarian violence” in Iraq.Annan, who returned Friday from a 12-day tour of the Middle East, said he was encouraged by the seriousness with which Lebanon and Israel were pressing ahead with implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 aimed at shoring up last month’s truce.Nampa-AFP